[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14549]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO GENERAL DAN K. McNEILL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2008

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to GEN Dan 
K. McNeill on his retirement as commanding officer of the International 
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. General McNeill 
assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) 
on February 4, 2007, following a tour of duty as Commanding General, of 
the U.S. Army Forces Command, and the U.S. Army's force generation 
command.
  General McNeill is a native son of Warsaw, North Carolina. He 
attended North Carolina State University (NCSU) where he began his 
military career. He graduated in 1968 with a bachelor of science degree 
in forestry and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry 
through the ROTC Program. In 1989, General McNeill graduated from the 
U.S. Army War College where he became a career infantry officer. He 
also attended United States Army Command and General Staff College.
  General McNeill has held several positions throughout his military 
career, some of his past assignments include Deputy Commanding General/
Chief of Staff, United States Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson, 
Georgia. Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, 
North Carolina where his duties include Combined Joint Task Force 180, 
and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was Commanding 
General of the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 
And Assistant Chief of Staff G-3, XVIII Airborne Corps, including tours 
in Uphold Democracy, Operation Just Cause, Panama and Operation Desert 
Shield/Desert Storm.
  GEN Dan K. McNeill's innovative leadership and unique vision have 
earned him widespread recognition. His numerous decorations and badges 
include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf 
Clusters), Legion of Merit (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star 
Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), and Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 
Oak Leaf Clusters), all of which acknowledge General McNeill's 
unfailing commitment to improving the lives of his fellow Americans.
  Madam Speaker, General McNeill is an exemplary figure of patriotism, 
leadership, dedication, and commitment. As a former soldier, I am proud 
to honor the career of GEN Dan K. McNeill today. I ask all of my 
colleagues to join my wife, Faye, and me in celebrating his 40 years of 
military service to the United States Army and to the State of North 
Carolina.

                          ____________________