[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E523-E524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF MASTER CHIEF MIHELICH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK MEADOWS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2019

  Mr. MEADOWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wayne John 
Mihelich, of Caldwell County, North Carolina. On behalf of the people 
of Western North Carolina, I would like to honor the military service 
of Command Master Chief Mihelich and his significant impact on the 
education of the next generation.
  Master Chief Mihelich joined the Navy in 1973. He served in over ten 
duty assignments and was promoted to the rank of Command Master Chief. 
He was assigned five separate Commands as Command Master Chief, 
including U.S. Naval Security Group Activity in Rota, Spain; U.S. Naval 
Air Station in Sigonella, Sicily; and Naval Air Technical Training 
Center in Pensacola, Florida. He was also responsible for Chief Petty 
Officer mess professional development. Master Chief

[[Page E524]]

Mihelich is a qualified Naval Aircrewman, Enlisted Aviation Warfare 
Specialist, USN Master Training Specialist, and USAF Master Trainer. He 
graduated from the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 43 (Khaki) 
and USAF Senior NCO Academy, Class 93-B.
  Throughout his well decorated career, Master Chief Mihelich received 
three Meritorious Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy 
Achievement Medals, the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, the Meritorious 
Unit Commendation Ribbon with three bronze stars, the Air Force 
Organizational Excellence Award, the Navy Good Conduct Medal with one 
silver and two bronze stars, the National Defense Service Medal with 
two bronze stars, the Kosovo Campaign Medal with one bronze star, the 
Armed Forces Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Sea 
Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver star, the Overseas Service 
Medal with one silver star, the NATO Medal, the Naval Rifle 
Marksmanship Ribbon (Expert), and the Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon 
(Marksman).
  Master Chief Mihelich possesses a love for learning which he fostered 
throughout his service in the Navy. After earning a Master's of Science 
Degree in Adult Education, he began educating the next generation. 
Master Chief Mihelich has been an esteemed teacher at West Caldwell 
High School in Lenoir, North Carolina for 16 years. For his excellence 
as the Naval Science instructor, he was honored as the Teacher of the 
Year for the 2017-2018 school year.
  Master Chief Mihelich and his wife, Beverly, are the proud parents of 
their daughters Jessie, Jennie, and Marci, and grandparents to Lexi, 
Malachi, and Josiah.
  It is my honor to acknowledge Master Chief Mihelich for his hard work 
and selfless dedication to our country and his community. His diligent 
pursuit of excellence is evident through his service in the Navy, his 
pursuit of knowledge, and his passion for preparing the students of 
West Caldwell High School for success.

                          ____________________