[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 116 (Thursday, July 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ATR2 RONALD J. OTTENWESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DIANA HARSHBARGER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 6, 2023

  Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Mr. Speaker, Ronald J. Ottenwess enlisted in the 
U.S. Navy in May 1966. After recruit training at Great Lakes Naval 
Training Center, he trained as an Aviation Electronics Technician at 
Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
  Then-AT Airman Ottenwess arrived in Rota, Spain in May 1967--just in 
time for Israel's Six Day War--for his assignment to Fleet Air 
Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ-2). During his assignment in Rota, he 
trained as an Electronic Warfare Operator and served as a Special 
Projects technician.
  During his three-year tour with VQ-2, he deployed to five different 
aircraft carriers and a dozen countries. He amassed nearly 2,000 flight 
hours and completed over 400 missions in EA-3B and EC-121M aircrafts. 
On deployment in 1969, he received a temporary assignment to VQ-1 
Detachment Bravo in Danang, RVN, where he flew more than fifty combat 
reconnaissance missions ``up North.'' He was promoted to Petty Officer 
Second Class in March, 1968.
  After his release from active duty as a Petty Officer Second Class in 
February 1970, Mr. Ottenwess received Bachelor's and Master's degrees 
in Economics and Business. Following graduation, he spent the next 
forty years as a manufacturing systems engineer, executive, and 
consultant; and travelled to 45 U.S. states and ten foreign countries.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring him for his distinguished 
military service during the Vietnam war. He is one of the many American 
heroes that this great Nation is so fortunate to have.

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