[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LT ADAM A. DYER

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
service of Lieutenant Adam A. Dyer of Lafayette, Louisiana. A U.S. 
Naval Aviator, Lieutenant Dyer's life was tragically cut short on 
January 26, 2007 when a Navy Knighthawk helicopter carrying him and 
three other crew members crashed into the Pacific Ocean while 
conducting a routine training mission near San Clemente Island, 
California.
  Madam Speaker, Adam Dyer was an American patriot from day one. A 
native of Lafayette, Louisiana, he attended Lafayette High School and 
graduated from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in 
Natchitoches, Louisiana. He went on to receive a bachelor of arts 
degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in 2002. While 
attending college Adam held several jobs, and at the time of his 
graduation worked for the State of Louisiana as an interpreter in the 
Department of Tourism.
  As a young Boy Scout, Adam attained the distinct honor of Eagle Scout 
and, following a tradition of that honor, always felt a natural calling 
to serve his Nation. For a Boy Scout project, Adam once wrote that his 
goal was to become a Navy pilot. In December 2002, his goal was 
accomplished when he was commissioned as a United States Naval Officer.
  After being commissioned, Lt. Dyer completed primary and advanced 
flight training in Pensacola, Florida. During training, Lt. Dyer's 
instructors often challenged his knowledge, but they soon came to 
realize he had a gifted intellect as well as a photographic memory. 
This allowed him to recite correct procedures back to his instructors 
verbatim, including the page numbers.
  On November 5, 2004 Lt. Dyer was designated a Naval Aviator. He was 
then assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 in San Diego, 
California for training in the MH-60S, and upon completion reassigned 
to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21. Lt. Dyer was also instrumental in 
the formation of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. In 2005, he 
participated in hurricane relief operations in Louisiana following 
Hurricane Katrina, for which he was awarded the Joint Service 
Achievement Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
  Lt. Dyer was deployed to the Middle East twice. During these 
missions, he and his team were credited with rescuing numerous people. 
His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Global 
War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals.
  Before his tragic and untimely death on January 26, 2007, he was in 
training to return to the Middle East for a third tour of duty.
  Lt. Dyer realized his lifelong dream of being a Navy pilot, and in 
his final moments, he sacrificed his life as unselfishly as he lived 
it, trying to save those around him. Whatever the circumstances 
surrounding his all too sudden death, there is no doubt that to the 
point of his last breath, Lt. Dyer's efforts were focused more on 
saving his crew than on saving himself.
  Lt. Dyer came from a military-oriented family, with his father and 
both grandfathers having served in the military. In addition to flying 
helicopters, Lt. Dyer loved golf and running. His family and friends 
remember him as a strong person who would never quit anything, no 
matter how hard things were. He always saw things through from start to 
finish. As a Naval Aviator, Lt. Dyer was the consummate professional. 
He knew his aircraft and his procedures backwards and forwards. Though 
certainly possessing natural talent, Lt. Dyer's best attributes were 
his never-ending desire to learn, the great responsibility he felt for 
his crew, and the fact that he was a loyal friend.
  Lt. Dyer was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on March 9, 2007. 
He is survived by his parents, David and Stephanie Dyer, and a sister, 
Lindsay Dyer, of Lafayette, Louisiana.
    




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