[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 82 (Monday, June 4, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MICHAEL GEORGE DULONG
Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts. Madam President, today I wish to
congratulate LCDR Michael George Dulong of Brockton, MA on his
retirement from the U.S. Navy. Lieutenant Commander Dulong dedicated
more than 24 years of his life to serving our Nation as a Navy SEAL. I
am privileged to recognize Michael's accomplishments today, and
Massachusetts is fortunate to have a man like Michael who has served in
our Navy and defended our Nation.
The grandson of a World War II Normandy beacher and the son of a
decorated Vietnam-era 101st Airborne Division veteran, at an early age
Michael chose to serve our Nation. He enlisted in the Navy at the age
of 16 through the Delayed Entry Program and completed the Navy's basic
school of electronics and electricity, followed by the basic underwater
demolitions/SEAL training in Coronado, CA. He would go on to spend 8
years in the enlisted ranks serving in three platoons within SEAL Team
8 at Naval Base Little Creek in Norfolk, VA.
As a team member on SEAL Team 8, Michael deployed in support of
Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as numerous other
special operations deployments throughout the Mediterranean and Persian
Gulf. Needless to say, as part of our Nation's premier special
operations forces, Michael was integral to his Team's success and
performed exceptionally in some of the most challenging and austere
conditions around the world.
Michael would go on to earn his bachelor's degree while
simultaneously serving on SEAL Team 4 in the Navy Reserve, followed by
successful completion of Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL.
After completing his training, Michael was commissioned as an ensign on
active duty and was assigned to SEAL Team 1. There Michael would deploy
as the assistant platoon commander for two SEAL platoons in support of
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Michael always led from
the front and inspired SEALs under his command throughout his career
and did so again in combat following September 11.
Throughout numerous deployments around the world in support of the
global war on terrorism, Michael received countless awards and
promotions in the Navy. He would go on to serve in various assignments
in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility with the Naval
Special Warfare Unit 4 in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota,
Colombia, combating narco-terrorism, the U.S. Embassy in Guyana as the
Joint Special Operations Commander, as well as platoon commander of
SEAL Team 4. His final assignment brought Michael and his family to our
Nation's Capital, at the Washington Navy Yard, where he served as the
program manager for the SEAL Delivery Vehicle acquisition program.
Michael has dedicated his life to serving our country, and we owe him
a debt of gratitude for his service. Even in retirement, I am confident
that Michael will continue to serve his Nation. On behalf of all
Massachusetts residents and all Americans, I am proud to thank Michael,
his wife Michaelle, son Gabriel, and daughter Eva for their service to
the Nation and the Navy.
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