[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E351-E352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CAPTAIN GARY S. TOMCZIK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ANGIE CRAIG

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2026

  Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of 
Captain Gary S. Tomczik, United States Army-Aviation, who passed away 
on March 20, 2026.
  Captain Tomczik was originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and 
graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School. While attending St. 
John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, he was accepted into the 
ROTC Aviation program and began flying lessons in St. Cloud and St. 
Paul. In 1967, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, and attended 
Helicopter Flight School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Shortly after, he was 
sent to Vietnam for his first tour of duty. During this tour, he served 
with distinction as he conducted airlift missions transporting troops 
and supplies into and out from theater, engaged in medical evacuation 
missions for injured troops, and flew numerous night missions.
  During his second tour in Vietnam, he served as the executive officer 
in his unit, directly assisting the unit commander, and oversaw the 
maintenance and repair of aircraft. This role required him to test 
choppers before their return to combat, a particularly risky task. 
Despite the danger, Captain Tomczik served his country with courage and 
conviction.
  Following his tours in Vietnam, he served as an instructor to new 
pilots at Ft. Rucker. As an instructor, Captain Tomczik took the safety 
of his students very seriously and worked tirelessly to ensure they had 
the tools and training they needed to succeed. Captain Tomczik was 
unwavering in his dedication to serving his Nation and instilled in his 
students their responsibility to always put the American people first 
in the performance of their duties.
  Captain Tomczik's courage and skill during his service were 
recognized with numerous Army commendations, including the Bronze Star, 
the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60-device, the Vietnam Service Medal, 
three Army Overseas Service bars, the Army Aviator Badge, and the 
National Defense Service Medal.
  Following his service in Vietnam and at Ft. Rucker, Captain Tomczik 
continued his work with helicopters for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. His 
career took him all over the world, before he and his wife of 53 years, 
Hilary, settled in Santa Barbara, California.
  I offer my deepest condolences to Captain Tomczik's family--his wife, 
Hilary, his sons Graham and Damien, and his siblings Ron, Janet, Mel, 
and Patrick. I want to thank him and his fellow veterans, including his 
three brothers, for their service to our country.

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