[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18261-18262]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                      Colonel Randall L. Koehlmoos

  Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a great American 
military leader from Nebraska, Colonel Randall L. Koehlmoos, U.S. Army.
  Colonel Koehlmoos died in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he was the Chief 
of the Office of Defense Cooperation at our U.S. Embassy.
  Officers in the U.S. Army have many roles. We most often recognize 
those who lead soldiers in combat. Others are assigned to protecting 
and promoting vital American interests throughout the world. During a 
notable career, Colonel Koehlmoos served with equal skill and 
commitment in both roles.
  His life of public service began early when a high school art teacher 
invited him to attend a National Guard drill. Randy was hooked. After 
joining the Nebraska Army National Guard, he attended the University of 
Nebraska and earned an officer's commission through the ROTC program. 
He spent much of his early career with the famed 82nd Airborne 
Division, where he became a master parachutist with over 100 jumps. He 
led a platoon during the 1991 gulf war and later a company during NATO 
operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  The diplomatic side of the colonel's career emerged in the 1990s. Not 
satisfied with what many consider easy assignments in U.S. Embassies, 
he immersed himself in history, culture, and language. He would become 
fluent in four foreign languages and attend the Pakistan Army Staff 
College. A crowning achievement for Colonel Koehlmoos--beyond leading 
soldiers in combat--was writing a major article about relations between 
the United States and Pakistan. His article, titled ``Positive 
Perceptions to Sustain the U.S.-Pakistan Relationship,'' was published 
in the prestigious Army War College quarterly Parameters.
  The decorations and badges earned during his distinguished service 
speak to his dedication and his skill: Defense Superior Service Medal, 
Bronze Star, NATO Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces 
Expeditionary

[[Page 18262]]

Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Meritorious Unit Citation, and several 
foreign nation awards. He was perhaps most proud of having earned the 
Master Parachutist Badge.
  Colonel Koehlmoos was known to be a no-nonsense individual. He was 
always focused on the mission. But Randy had a soft spot. An 
unrelenting spiritual love of family dwelled inside this stoic, 
professional Army officer. His wife Tracey and his sons Robert and 
Michael and David meant absolutely everything to him. The colonel's 
larger family extended through his parents Larry and Karen Koehlmoos of 
Norfolk, Nebraska, to friends and colleagues around the world who 
revered his strength, compassion and leadership.
  Today, I ask that God be with the family of Colonel Randall 
Koehlmoos. Their faith is strong, and I pray it brings them peace at 
this very difficult time. And may God bless all those serving in 
uniform and bless their families.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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