[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15559]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DALTON WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 12, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to an 
outstanding Missourian, Colonel Dalton Wright of Lebanon, Missouri.
  On the morning of the 55th anniversary of the allied invasion of 
Normandy, the Missouri Army National Guard 35th Aviation Brigade held a 
time-honored military event, the change of command ceremony, with 
Colonel Dalton Wright passing command of the 35th Aviation Brigade to 
Colonel Michael Pace.
  The ceremony was held at the 1st Battalion, 135th Aviation armory at 
Whiteman Air Force Base. Prior to turning over command to Colonel Pace, 
Major General John Havens, the Adjutant General of Missouri, presented 
Colonel Wright the Legion of Merit Medal for exceptionally meritorious 
performance of duty while serving as commander of the 35th Aviation 
Brigade. Colonel Wright had commanded the brigade since Jan. 1, 1995. 
He will be reassigned as the Missouri State Aviation Officer in 
Jefferson City. His next assignment is the highest position that any 
pilot in the Missouri National Guard can attain. He takes over that 
position in July.
  Colonel Wright originally served in the U.S. Navy. He completed 
flight training in 1967 and flew the A-6 Intruder from 1968 to 1971. He 
had one tour in Vietnam where he was decorated with the Naval 
Commendation for Valor, the Air Medal (six awards) and the Navy 
Achievement Medal.
  After Colonel Wright's service in the Navy, he returned to Missouri 
and joined the National Guard. He was instrumental in getting attack 
helicopter assets added to the Guard inventory.
  Some of Wright's duties in Missouri included commander of the 1st 
Battalion, 135th Aviation in Warrensburg; commander of Detachment 1, 
1107th AVCRAD in Springfield; and his latest as commander, 35th 
Division Aviation Brigade.
  Colonel Wright was president of the National Newspaper Association 
from 1997 to 1998. He is the president and owner of Lebanon Publishing 
Company.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that the other Members of the House join me in 
expressing congratulations to Colonel Wright for a job well done.

                          ____________________