[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1413]]


             TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL DOUGLAS M. PIERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of 
Brigadier General Douglas M. Pierce, Deputy Adjutant General of the 
Iowa Air National Guard, and to express my appreciation for his 
dedication and commitment to his state and country.
  After graduating from Westview High School in Lake City, Iowa, 
General Douglas Pierce earned a bachelor of science degree in animal 
science from Iowa State University in 1968, followed later by a master 
of science degree in personnel management and counseling from Troy 
State University in 1981.
  In 1969, General Pierce's long and distinguished career in America's 
Armed Forces began when he was commissioned in the United States Air 
Force. He was an Honor Graduate and awarded the aeronautical rating of 
pilot during Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1970. He was a T-37 
Instructor Pilot until April 1974 when he joined the Iowa Air National 
Guard, 132d Fighter Wing as a combat-ready pilot. General Pierce served 
as Flight Commander and Chief, Standardization and Evaluation until 
1983 when he transferred to Headquarters Iowa National Guard as 
Executive Support Officer to the adjutant general. In 1985, General 
Pierce returned to the 132d Fighter Wing as the 124th Fighter Squadron 
Operations Officer until 1990 when he was selected as the Operations 
Group commander. He became the vice commander for the 132d Fighter Wing 
in 1999 until he transferred to Headquarters Iowa Air National Guard as 
the vice commander in 2002. In 2004, General Pierce assumed the duties 
as Assistant Adjutant General, Air.
  For the past 39 years, General Pierce has served faithfully and 
honorably, earning a long list of military awards and decorations. He 
has accumulated over 5,800 flying hours and flown many different 
military aircrafts. General Pierce's long-standing commitment to the 
Iowa Air National Guard and his country has earned him the respect, 
honor and dignity of all who have served with him. For this I offer him 
my utmost congratulations and thanks.
  I commend Brigadier General Douglas M. Pierce for his many years of 
loyalty and service to our great nation. It is an immense honor to 
represent General Pierce in the United States Congress, and I wish him 
a happy retirement from the Iowa Air National Guard and all the best in 
his future endeavors.

                          ____________________