[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL HECTOR E. PAGAN, UNITED STATES ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 2010

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor Brigadier General Hector E. Pagan, United States Army, who on 
Friday, September 17th will retire and relinquish command of Special 
Operations Command South, SOCS, to Rear Admiral Thomas L. Brown II.
  Since the summer of 2008, Brigadier General Pagan has exemplified 
unparalleled leadership through his command of Special Operations 
Command South in Florida. A New York native, he grew up in Puerto Rico 
and was commissioned as an infantry officer from the ROTC program at 
the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. In 1980 he attended the 
Infantry Officers Basic Course and Ranger School and was assigned to 
the 1st Battalion, 51st Infantry, in Germany, as a Rifle Platoon 
Leader, Company Executive Officer and Scout Platoon Leader. In 1983, he 
attended the Infantry Officers Advanced Course and remained at Fort 
Benning, Georgia, with the Infantry Training Group and the 29th 
Infantry Regiment, where he served as chief, Special Weapons Committee, 
operations officer, and commanded the Headquarters and Headquarters 
Company, 2nd Bn., 29th Infantry Regiment from 1984 to1986.
  Brigadier General Pagan served in Panama with the 3rd Bn., 7th 
Special Forces, SF Group, Airborne, 1988-1990, as an A-Detachment 
commander and Battalion S1. He served in Operation JUST CAUSE and 
deployed to El Salvador in 1989. From 1990 to 1992, he served in SF 
Branch, Total Army Personnel Command as a future readiness officer and 
captains assignments officer. He attended the Army Command and General 
Staff Course and then served as the executive officer, 1st Bn., 7th SF 
Group (Airborne). From 1994-1995, he served in the U.S. Army Special 
Operations Command as the chief, officer management, office of the 
deputy chief of staff for personnel.
  He returned to the 7th SF Group, Airborne, in 1995, where he served 
as group operations officer, executive officer and deputy commander. 
From 1998-2000, Brigadier General Pagan commanded the 2nd Battalion, 
1st SF Group, Airborne, at Fort Lewis, Washington. After his tour with 
the 1st SF Group, he was assigned to the Special Operations Command 
South, Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, where he served as 
the director of operations, J3, from 2000 to 2002.
  Upon completion of the U.S. Army War College in 2003, Brigadier 
General Pagan took command of the 5th SF Group, Airborne, in Baghdad, 
Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom. He led the 5th SF Group, Airborne, in 
combat as the commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task 
Force--Arabian Peninsula for two combat tours in 2003 and 2004.
  In 2005, Brigadier General Pagan served as the special assistant to 
the commander of the United States Special Operations Command at 
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. In 2006, he assumed duties as the 
deputy director of the Operations Support Group in the Center for 
Special Operations in the U.S. Special Operations Command. Brigadier 
General Pagan served as the deputy commander, U.S. Army Special 
Operations Command in November 2006 and in May 2007 assumed duties as 
deputy commander, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at 
Fort Bragg, NC until July, 2008.
  His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service 
Medal, Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf, Bronze Star Medal with 
bronze oak leaf, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army 
Meritorious Service Medal with one silver oak leaf and one bronze oak 
leaf, the Army Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf, the Army and 
Joint Service Achievement Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 
with bronze star device, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 2nd oak leaf 
cluster, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Special Forces and 
Ranger Tabs, the Combat Infantryman Badge, second award, the Expert 
Infantryman Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge. He earned a master's 
degree in management from Troy State University and a master's degree 
in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
  Brigadier General Pagan has served our nation honorably. He has 
dedicated his life to defending freedom, ensuring that our democratic 
principles remain intact and that Americans can continue to live in 
liberty. His patriotism, courage and leadership are unparalleled, as is 
his commitment to the ideals of democracy. For me it has been a 
privilege getting to know Brigadier General Pagan and I am honored to 
call him a friend. I ask that you join me in thanking Brigadier General 
Hector E. Pagan for his years of service to our country, and his family 
for supporting him throughout his military career. I wish them well in 
their future endeavors and will be eternally grateful for their 
sacrifices and commitment to our Nation's safety and freedom.

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