[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





              TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL JENNIFER WALTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID YOUNG

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Brigadier General Jennifer Walter on her retirement from 
the Iowa Air National Guard. In 2012, General Walter became the first 
female general officer in the history of the Iowa Air National Guard. 
She now retires with 40 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Air 
Force and Air National Guard.
  General Walter received her first commission of Second Lieutenant in 
1986 after attending Officer Training School at the Academy of Military 
Science. Before becoming the first female general officer of the Iowa 
Air National Guard in 2012, General Walter served in numerous command 
positions, among them as the first female Iowa Air National Guard group 
commander, squadron commander, and non-medical colonel. General Walter 
has deployed in operations around the world, including Operation 
Southern Watch in Al Jaber, Kuwait, and as the 755th Air Expeditionary 
Group Commander with the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
  General Walter's military awards and decorations include the Bronze 
Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air 
Force Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding 
Unit Award, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National 
Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War On 
Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Overseas 
Ribbon Short, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, 
Air Force Longevity Service, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device 
(more than 37 years of service), Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, 
NATO medal, and the Iowa National Guard Meritorious Service Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent General Walter in 
the United States Congress, and it is with great pride that I recognize 
and applaud her for years of dedicated service to the United States of 
America. I invite my colleagues in the United States House or 
Representatives to join me in congratulating her on her retirement, and 
wishing her nothing but the best moving forward.

                          ____________________