[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 110 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM ANDREW LOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 23, 2012

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Captain 
William Andrew Lott of Leesburg, Florida, my uncle, who passed away 
earlier this month. A native of Dallas, Texas, Captain Lott flew combat 
missions in Korea and Vietnam, serving 34 years in the United States 
Navy in both hot and cold wars. He flew three different types of 
carrier-based aircraft including the A-1 Skyraider, the F-8 Crusader 
and the F-4 Phantom. He spent the equivalent of six years of his life 
at sea, amassing thousands of hours of flight time in three different 
combat aircraft, serving four tours of duty in Vietnam, and surviving 
ejections from crippled aircraft three times. He served proudly as not 
only a fighter pilot, but also as the Commanding Officer of both 
Fighter Squadron Forty One and the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, 
California. During his illustrious career, Captain Lott was the 
recipient of many awards and commendations including the Meritorious 
Service Medal, Air Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal.
  He was also an outstanding mentor to both the junior enlisted and 
officers under his command, with one former subordinate commenting, 
``He was a great leader and mentor, just like a Navy fighter pilot his 
timing was always on target; he knew when a junior officer needed 
direction and was always compassionate when doing so. He was not afraid 
to do what was right even in the face of adversity.''
  His Public Works Officer at El Centro noted, ``the leadership style 
he passed on to me stayed with me. It was his guidance that pushed me 
on to be Operations Officer in Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 62 
and to later become Commanding Officer of Naval Mobile Construction 
Battalion 7. In fact, when the civilian construction world called me, 
it was because of Captain Lott I chose to stay in longer as I wanted to 
command just like him.''
  Captain Lott leaves behind two sons, Randall and David, and a nation 
grateful for his distinguished service.

                          ____________________