[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H7256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        GENERAL JAMES D. THURMAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
General James D. Thurman on his retirement from the United States Army 
after 38 years of dedicated, distinguished, and honorable service. He 
will retire on November 22, 2013, concluding his service over the past 
2 years as commander of the U.S. forces in Korea. During both war and 
peace, General Thurman has served with courage and distinction in the 
face of tremendous adversity, demonstrating his commitment to America 
and to our people.
  During his long and honorable career, General Thurman successfully 
commanded 10 different units at every echelon of command, including 
extensive operational combat deployments. Besides his command of the 
4th Infantry Division and the Multinational Division in Baghdad, Iraq, 
he made significant contributions during the initial invasion of Iraq 
as the chief of operations for the Coalition Forces Land Component 
Command. Other notable assignments during his tenure include operations 
in Kosova as the chief of the Plans and Policy Division for Allied 
Forces Southern Europe and battalion executive officer in the 1st 
Cavalry Division during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
  In his final assignment, General Thurman served as the senior U.S. 
military officer in Korea where he was responsible for 28,500 U.S. 
forces stationed there. His top command priority was to deter and 
defend against North Korean provocations and aggression and, should 
deterrence fail, to be prepared to ``fight tonight'' and win. He 
ensured the readiness of his multinational, combined and joint forces 
through a broad range of actions.
  As a result of changes he directed during the two annual 
multinational, combined and joint exercises in Korea, forces under his 
command became the most mission-focused training exercises in U.S.-ROK 
history. His initial assessment of existing capabilities on the 
peninsula resulted in the addition of an armed reconnaissance squadron 
and other changes to better prepare and position U.S. forces to 
respond. His steady hand and strong relationships with his ROK 
counterparts, as well as with senior civilian and military leaders in 
the U.S., were critical to safely navigating several operational 
crises.
  A native of Marietta, Oklahoma, General Thurman graduated from East 
Central Oklahoma University, where he earned his commission through the 
Reserve Officers' Training Corps. His first assignment was with the 4th 
Infantry Division, which he later commanded and deployed with to Iraq. 
Since his first assignment, he and his wife, Delia, known as ``Dee'' 
Thurman, have moved over 25 times in 38 years, including four tours in 
Germany, two at the National Training Center, and three in my district 
at Fort Hood, Texas. During that time, they raised two daughters, and 
they are now proud grandparents.
  Retirement is to be celebrated and enjoyed. It is not the end of a 
career but, rather, the beginning of a new adventure. I commend General 
Thurman for his selfless service to the Nation and to the United States 
Army. I wish him and his wife the best in the years ahead, and I 
welcome them as new constituents to the 31st Congressional District.

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