[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ROBERT SELBY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously commend 
and congratulate Robert Selby upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime 
Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. 
Selby was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, 
California.
  Mr. Robert Selby was born in June 1936 in Sparta, Tennessee. In 1961, 
Mr. Selby enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was sent to 
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for his basic training. He then 
completed training as a Jet Mechanic and Flight Engineer.
  While fighting in Vietnam, Mr. Selby served with special Air Force 
units flying out of Nha Trang, Vietnam on covert missions into Laos and 
North Vietnam. His tour consisted of flying on many secret missions 
deep into enemy territory, inserting agents and hampering North 
Vietnamese communications in advance of U.S. bombing raids. During one 
particularly challenging mission on an HC-130, the aircraft was forced 
to fly low through heavy weather and mountainous terrain to drop 
supplies to combat forces. For his performance during this particular 
mission, Mr. Selby was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
  Upon returning to the United States after the war ended, Mr. Selby 
completed the Non-Commissioned Officers' Academy. Later, he completed 
the Command Staff Non-Commissioned Officers' Academy and Air Force 
Special Operations. Throughout his military career Mr. Selby completed 
many advanced training courses including, cross-training with the 
United States Army infantry units and the M-24 Tank, Advanced Flying 
Course in Turbo Propulsion, the Combat Talon, the Air Force 
Supervisor's Management Course, and the United States Air Force 
Trainer-Supervisor Course. He served on many aircraft, including the B-
66 and the C-130, units and bases. He served with the 60th Military Air 
Wing, 8th Special Operations Service, 778th TAS, 42nd TRS and 10th TRW.
  In October 1968, while serving with a C-130 squadron in Bermuda 
providing search and rescue missions, Mr. Selby was involved with the 
successful NASA Apollo 7 mission. Apollo 7 was launched and was the 
first manned mission. For eleven days, while the spacecraft orbited 
earth, Mr. Selby and squadron mates were available to assist if 
necessary.
  Master Sergeant Selby retired from the Air Force in June 1981. For 
his service, Mr. Selby was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the 
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, 
the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with four oak 
leaf clusters, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Military Education 
Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal 
with three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of 
Gallantry with palm and device and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign 
Medal.
  Upon retirement, Mr. Selby worked for the Chowchilla Water District, 
and later, as a hydro-power operator. He was a Life Member of the 
Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, American Legion Post 
248, the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the Chowchilla Masonic 
Lodge and the Civil Air Patrol. He served several terms as commander of 
the Chowchilla American Legion and VFW. He was an advocate of veterans' 
affairs and volunteered his time to take veterans to appointments in 
Fresno and Madera.
  Mr. Selby passed away in the beginning of 2010. He is survived by his 
wife of fifty years, Shirley, two sons and three grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life of Robert 
Selby and congratulate him upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life 
Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896.

                          ____________________