[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 207 (Wednesday, January 2, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S8057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FORT SILL

 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, it is my honor to pay tribute to 
Fort Sill in Oklahoma in preparation of this great military 
installation's 150th anniversary on January 8, 2019. For 150 years, 
Fort Sill has played a critical role in our national defense, from an 
outpost to prevent border raids, to today as the home of the Fires 
Center of Excellence and Basic Combat Training site. The history of 
Fort Sill can be traced back to January 8, 1869, when Major General 
Philip H. Sheridan staked out the site of Fort Sill in a campaign into 
Indian Territory to prevent border settlements from being raided in 
Texas and Kansas. The garrison was initially named Camp Wichita and was 
later renamed after Brigadier General Joshua W. Sill, in honor of 
General Sheridan's West Point classmate and friend who was killed 
during the American Civil War.
  The first post commander was Brevet Major General Benjamin Grierson, 
and the first Indian agent was Colonel Albert Gallatin Boone, grandson 
of Daniel Boone. The last Indian lands in Oklahoma opened for 
settlement in 1901, and 29,000 homesteaders registered at Fort Sill 
during July for the land lottery. On August 6, 1901, the town of Lawton 
was established and quickly grew to become the third largest city in 
Oklahoma and was later renamed Lawton-Fort Sill.
  With the disappearance of the frontier, the mission of Fort Sill 
gradually changed from cavalry to field artillery as the first 
artillery battery arrived at Fort Sill in 1902, and the last cavalry 
regiment departed in May 1907. In 1917, the Henry Post Army Airfield 
was constructed for artillery observation and spotting. The School of 
Fire for the Field Artillery was founded at Fort Sill in 1911 and 
continues to operate today as the world-renowned U.S. Army Field 
Artillery School. At various historic times, Fort Sill has also served 
as home to the Infantry School of Musketry, the School for Aerial 
Observers, the Artillery Officers Candidate School--Robinson Barracks--
the Air Service Flying School, and the Army Aviation School. Fort Sill 
is the birthplace of military combat aviation, 1st Aero Squadron. It is 
home to Henry Post Army Airfield, the oldest airfield in the Army. In 
August 1917, Captain H.R. Eyrich surveyed a new airfield location at 
Fort Sill and established the airfield, which is named after Second 
Lieutenant Henry D. Post.
  Fort Sill remains the only Active Army installation of all the forts 
on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars and was designated as 
a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Fort Sill serves as home of the 
U.S. Army Field Artillery School; the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery 
School; the 428th Field Artillery Training Brigade; the 30th Air 
Defense Artillery Training Brigade; the 434th Field Artillery Basic 
Combat Training Brigade; the Marine Corps Field Artillery Military 
Occupational Specialty school, the 75th (Forces Command) Fires Brigade; 
and the 31st (Forces Command) Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
  Thousands of soldiers and marines have been trained for service in 
the field artillery at Fort Sill. Notable alumni include President 
Harry S. Truman, who during World War I became the commander of Company 
D, 129th Field Artillery, entering combat in the last few months of the 
war, moving his horse-drawn battery to engage the enemy and supporting 
the infantry, firing his last shot on the day of the armistice.
  It is also important to recognize the positive impact and 
connectivity of the Lawton-Fort Sill relationship. The connection 
between the community and the military installation is what makes Fort 
Sill so unique and successful. The community members and 
representatives are equally responsible for the rich history and 
successes of Fort Sill. Based on exemplary community support and 
vision, Fort Sill has actually benefited from five rounds of Base 
Realignment and Closure. Through these five rounds, the mission and 
importance of Fort Sill has increased. This highlights the fact that 
Fort Sill is more than just a military installation, for 150 years Fort 
Sill has been a part of the community.
  As Fort Sill turns 150, the senior leadership at the installation 
represent the long history of high-caliber military personnel who have 
set foot at Fort Sill. I would like to recognize the following 
personnel: the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding 
general MG Wilson Shoffner, Jr.; Fires Center of Excellence CSM John W. 
Folley; Fort Sill garrison commander COL Don A. King, Jr.; Fires Center 
of Excellence Field Artillery School commandant BG Stephen G. Smith; 
and Fires Center of Excellence Air Defense Artillery School commandant 
BG Brian W. Gibson.
  On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I want to 
congratulate Fort Sill on 150 successful years and thank the men and 
women who have served their nation while assigned to Fort Sill for 
their continued commitment, sacrifice, and contributions to this great 
Nation.

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