[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 7, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14059-S14060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL WESLEY L. McDONALD

 Mr. WARNER. Madam President, today I pay tribute to ADM Wesley 
L. McDonald, U.S. Navy, Retired, a great American naval officer who 
served his country in uniform for over 35 years, culminating with his 
simultaneous assignments as Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and 
Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Command.
  Following his illustrious naval career, Admiral McDonald has gone on 
to promote both education and aviation, giving wise counsel to American 
industry and valued service on several key boards including the U.S. 
Navy Memorial Foundation, the U.S. Naval Aviation Museum and the Armed 
Services YMCA. This year he has been honored with the ``Elder Statesman 
of Aviation'' Award by the National Aeronautic Association for 15 years 
of exceptional service to this fine organization.
  On 1 December 1985, ADM Wesley L. McDonald retired from his 
assignment as the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, and the Commander-
in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Command, after having served in the U.S. 
Navy for over 42 years. He is a former carrier naval aviator who served 
in various staff and command positions following his graduation from 
the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946. He also holds a M.S. degree from the 
George Washington University.
  Before entering flight training in 1948, Admiral McDonald was a 
member of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd's South Pole expedition ``High 
Jump.'' He received his wings in 1950 and served in several carrier 
fighter and attack squadrons. He participated as a flight leader in the 
first retaliatory strike into North Vietnam following the Gulf of 
Tonkin incident in 1964, while serving as the commanding officer of 
Attack Squadron Fifty-Six. Other command tours included Carrier Air 
Wing Fifteen, amphibious landing ship dock USS Hermitage, LSD-34, and 
the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, CV-43.
  After promotion to rear admiral in 1972, he was assigned duty as the 
Commandant, Thirteenth Naval District. This tour was followed by 
assignment as Commander Carrier Group Three, where Admiral McDonald 
deployed to the Western Pacific as a Carrier Battle Group Commander in 
the final stages of the Vietnam war. He continued duty in the Pacific 
as the commander, Naval Air Force Pacific representative embarked in 
USS Midway, CV-41, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, in 1974. He then 
served as the Chief of Naval Air Training in Corpus Christi, TX, for 1 
year before being reassigned to Washington, DC, in 1975 as the Deputy 
Chief of Naval Personnel.
  In July 1977, he was promoted to vice admiral and assumed command of 
the U.S. Second Fleet. Concurrently, Admiral McDonald commanded the 
NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic. Following this tour, Admiral McDonald was 
named Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Air Warfare, where he 
established policy for the conduct of Naval Air Warfare and served as 
an advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations for all matters involving 
Naval Aviation.
  He was promoted to the rank of admiral and assumed the duties of 
Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic 
Command, and Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet in September 1982. 
During this tour of duty, Admiral McDonald and his staff planned the 
U.S. intervention in Grenada in October 1983, and was the commander in 
charge of the successful execution of the operation.
  Admiral McDonald's awards include the Defense Distinguished Service 
Medal, three Navy Distinguished Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, 
two Distinguished Flying Crosses, five Air Medals, and awards from the 
Netherlands, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Iceland, Norway, 
Uruguay, Chile and Brazil.
  Throughout his career in the U.S. Navy and the private sector, 
Admiral McDonald has provided exemplary

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leadership and sound professional judgment on issues of importance to 
the Navy and our country. He is an extraordinary individual and leader 
whose record of service exemplifies the highest traditions of our 
military and our country.

                          ____________________