[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING COMMANDER JOSEPH R. DRINKHOUSE FOR HIS SERVICE IN THE UNITED 
                          STATES NAVY RESERVE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2008

  Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Commander Joseph R. 
Drinkhouse for his 40 years of service in the United States Navy 
Reserve. As he nears his official retirement on January 1, 2009, 
Commander Drinkhouse deserves respect and appreciation for his long 
service in the United States Armed Services.
  Commander Drinkhouse served the first 12 years of his Navy career as 
an enlisted intelligence specialist first class. During this time, his 
responsibilities increased as he served as an intelligence analyst, 
team leader, group leader, and leading petty officer. In 1980, 
Commander Drinkhouse received a direct commission as an intelligence 
officer with the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.
  Commander Drinkhouse received full credentials as an officer agent in 
1986, while serving in the Naval Investigative Service Reserve Unit 
0893. He supervised an investigative team and conducted criminal 
investigations, including witness and suspect interviews, scene 
processing, and evidence collection. Commander Drinkhouse was 
transferred to Reserve Intelligence Area 15 in 1997, where he set up a 
team of officers and agents to take part in joint task force exercises 
as counterintelligence scriptors. For his service during this time, 
Commander Drinkhouse was awarded the prestigious Navy and Marine Corps 
Commendation Medal from the Secretary of the Navy.
  Over the past decade Commander Drinkhouse has completed multiple 
deployments to Bahrain in the Middle East. In 2001, he provided force 
protection support to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Middle 
East Field Office. Commander Drinkhouse also wrote and headed terrorist 
based exploitation assessment operations and vulnerability assessments 
while stationed in Bahrain. These services earned Commander Drinkhouse 
two additional Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals from the 
Secretary of the Navy. In addition, Commander Drinkhouse provided force 
protection support at Camp Lejuene in North Carolina.
  Over his long career Commander Drinkhouse has won many awards, 
including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold 
Stars, the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, the Navy Reserve Meritorious 
Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the National Defense Service Medal 
with two Bronze Stars, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze 
Star, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War 
on Terrorism Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service 
Medal, and the Navy Expert Rifle Medal and Navy Sharpshooter Pistol 
Ribbon.
  Madam Speaker, Commander Drinkhouse is an excellent role model for 
young Americans considering serving in the United States Armed Forces. 
He is an inspiration to service members everywhere, and to all citizens 
of our great nation. I commend Commander Drinkhouse for his 40 years of 
service to our country and wish him the best of luck in his future 
endeavors.

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