[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 149 (Monday, August 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MAJOR GENERAL GARY HARRELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DIANA HARSHBARGER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, August 23, 2021

  Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Major General 
Gary Harrell, who is a distinguished veteran that has served our 
country in numerous combat operations and in both wars in Iraq and 
Afghanistan. After an accomplished career in service to our country, 
Gary retired as the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army 
Special Operations Command. It is my privilege to recognize him for his 
service and to honor his sacrifice to our country.
  Gary earned his bachelor's degree in industrial technology from East 
Tennessee State University in 1973. His distinguished career began 
shortly after when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and 
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne 
Division, where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Anti-Tank (TOW) 
platoon leader. In 1977, having earned a Green Beret, he was assigned 
to the 7th Special Forces Group in Panama.
  Gary was deployed to Grenada during ``Operation Urgent Fury,'' and 
then took part in combat operations in Panama with ``Operation Just 
Cause.'' He was also sent to the Middle East during ``Desert Shield'' 
and ``Desert Storm,'' and as commander of the special operation Delta 
Force, he was wounded by mortar fire during United Nations relief 
efforts in Somalia, a story chronicled in the book and movie ``Black 
Hawk Down.''
  In 2001, Gary was Assistant Division Commander for the 10th Mountain 
Division in Afghanistan, and during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he led the 
largest special operations force assembled since World War II. He 
retired in 2008 as the Deputy Commanding General of the United States 
Army Special Operations Command. Gary's awards and decorations include 
the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (with V-
device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Purple Heart among many 
others.
  Gary is hailed as an expert in the special operations community, and 
he is highly respected by his colleagues and friends. He has been 
described as having ``unmatched expertise,'' and at his retirement 
ceremony in 2008, Lt. Gen. Robert Wagner stated, ``If it was complex, 
if it was difficult or critical to our nation, Gary was there.'' When 
being inducted into the ETSU ROTC Hall of Fame, it was said that ``to 
say General Harrell is a legend would be an absolute understatement.''
  In retirement, Gary has served in several roles, including as 
Director General for King Abdullah II Special Operations Training 
Center (KASOTC) in Amman, Jordan and Senior Vice President of Special 
Operations and Intelligence Advisory Group for CUBIC Applications Inc. 
He and his wife, Jennifer, have been blessed with three children and 
six grandchildren. I am proud to join the chorus of Gary's family, 
friends, colleagues, and admirers in thanking him for his dedicated 
service to our Nation.

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