[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING WILLIAM CHANDLER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate William Chandler upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime 
Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. 
Chandler was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Chowchilla, 
California.
  Mr. William ``Bill'' Chandler was born in Waurika, Oklahoma. During 
his youth he moved to a small town near Bakersfield, California where 
he graduated from Arvin High School in 1962. Mr. Chandler attended 
Bakersfield College for two years, majoring in agriculture. In 1965 he 
enlisted in the United States Air Force. He completed basic training at 
Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and was selected for 
specialized training as a photographic repairman.
  After additional training, Mr. Chandler was selected for specialized 
duties and received top secret security clearance. He was sent to the 
Far East where he was assigned to the Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon 
to work on classified photographic equipment used by reconnaissance 
aircraft to gather intelligence on Viet Cong and North Vietnamese 
forces. His tour in the Far East continued with an assignment to Japan 
at the Yokota Air Base, where he was assigned to the 67th 
Reconnaissance Technical Squadron in support of the SR-71 
``Blackbird.'' He and his unit worked day and night to keep the 
equipment in good condition as the SR-71 flew missions over North 
Vietnam, Laos, and mainland China.
  Upon completing his tour in Southeast Asia, Mr. Chandler was assigned 
to Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, California. He continued to work 
on the photographic equipment for the SR-71. In June, 1969, Sergeant 
Chandler received an honorable discharge from the United States Air 
Force and was transferred to the Air Force Reserve.
  For his service, Sergeant Chandler was awarded the National Defense 
Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal 
with device, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Unit 
Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame.
  Upon leaving active duty, Mr. Chandler was employed by the Extek 
Microsystems Microfilm Corporation from 1969 until 1973. In 1972, he 
married his wife, Nancy. Later he was employed by the First National 
Bank of Arizona for microfiche banking records. In 1975, Mr. Chandler 
began working for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the MARS/Viking 
Project. Mr. Chandler and his family moved to the Chowchilla area in 
1977 where he continues to live and remains active in farming 
operations. From 2004 until 2009, Mr. Chandler worked for the 
Chowchilla Water District. He is a Life Member of the Chowchilla 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, a member of the Chowchilla Masonic 
Lodge and the American Legion Post 148.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate William 
Chandler upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me 
in wishing Mr. Chandler many years of continued success.

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