[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 11, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF U.S. NAVY SEAL RICHARD PAUL MELTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 11, 2018

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an American hero and one of Eastern Kentucky's bravest sons, U.S. Navy 
SEAL Richard Paul Melton, in celebration of his retirement from a 
valiant 20-year military career.
   As a member of the nation's elite Seal Team Six, Paul Melton has 
served as one of the United States' highly trained experts in warfare, 
special reconnaissance, counterterrorism and national defense. Our Navy 
SEALs are the most highly esteemed warriors around the world, known for 
their unmatched success in covert special operations by sea, air and 
land, displaying incredible dedication to our country with every 
mission and unmatched willpower in enemy territory.
   Our nation owes this Navy SEAL and his family a great debt of 
gratitude for their combined sacrifice during his brave service over 
the last two decades. He has served five tours in Afghanistan, as well 
as tours in the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa and the greater 
Middle East. While we may never know the gravity of his classified 
missions and the imminent danger he faced in areas infiltrated with 
some of the world's most brutal terrorists, let us never fail to 
applaud and recognize his undying determination to defend our freedom 
and protect our allied nations.
   Senior Chief Petty Officer Paul Melton is decorated with some of the 
highest honors bestowed upon any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, 
including: five Bronze Star Medals with Combat V, a Purple Heart, a 
Joint Service Commendation Medal with Combat V, a Combat Action Ribbon, 
two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine 
Corps Achievement Medals, two Presidential Unit Citations, a 
Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, the Navy E Ribbon, six Navy Good 
Conduct Medals, a National Defense Medal, an Afghanistan Campaign 
Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Medal, a Navy Rifle Expert Medal and a 
Navy Pistol Expert Medal.
   I count it an immense honor to celebrate this true American patriot 
upon his retirement from the United States Naval Special Warfare 
Development Group--SEAL Team Six. The people of Leslie County and all 
of Kentucky are incredibly proud of our hometown hero, Richard Paul 
Melton.

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