[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E186-E187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING CLIFFORD C. KUNKEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 14, 2020

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and 
service of Colonel Clifford C. Kunkel, a decorated Air Force veteran 
and active member of his community in California.

[[Page E187]]

  Born on February 4, 1932, Clifford grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey, 
and graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of 
Maryland. In 1952, Clifford enlisted in the Air Force and was a B-29 
Superfortress crew member during the Korean War. He later served as a 
military advisor in Vietnam and was a pilot, navigator, bombardier, and 
missile combat crew commander. His military decorations include The 
Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the 
Air Medal, and the Commendation Medal. In 1957, he married the love of 
his life, Jean Marie Nissen. Clifford completed postings across the 
country, before he finally settled in California in 1973 with Jean 
Marie and their three sons.
  Once Clifford retired from active duty in 1978, he quickly 
established himself as an active member of his community. He served 21 
years as a Firefighter, Assistant Fire Chief and Emergency Medical 
Technician in the Gordon Valley Volunteer Fire Department. The 
community recognized his leadership by electing him President of the 
Napa Sunrise Rotary Club, board member of the Napa-Solano United Way, 
the North Bay YMCA, the Silverado Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 
and the Napa Chamber of Commerce. He continued his passion for flying 
and was often found at the Nut Tree Airport, teaching flying or 
surrounded by friends who shared his love for aviation. The Federal 
Aviation Administration honored him with the highly prestigious Wright 
Brothers ``Master Pilot Award,'' recognizing over 50 years of 
Clifford's aviation expertise. For fun, Clifford would travel to Carmel 
and Hawaii with his family and was a winery tour guide at Charles Krug 
and Monticello Wineries.
  He is survived by his wife Jean Marie; children Clifford Anthony, 
Paul William, and Roger Alan; and grandchildren Clifford, Jon, Megan, 
Kelsey, Patrick, Gabriel, and Joseph. l know that they, along with the 
rest of his extended family and friends, join me in celebrating his 
life and his memory.

                          ____________________