[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4860]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S BELOVED CHIEF 
                   MASTER SERGEANT JAMES C. BINNICKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and 
legacy of Northwest Florida's beloved Chief Master Sergeant James C. 
Binnicker. Chief Binnicker served our Nation with honor and distinction 
for more than 33 years in the United States Air Force, rising to the 
highest enlisted position: Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.
  Chief Binnicker was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and graduated 
from Aiken High School in 1956. Following his high school graduation, 
Chief Binnicker enlisted in the Air Force, where he completed his basic 
training at Lackland Air Force Base. During his long and distinguished 
Air Force career, Chief Binnicker served both at home and abroad in 
various capacities including as a life support specialist, air 
operations superintendent, Vietnamese linguist, First Sergeant and 
Command Chief Master Sergeant. Serving in such a wide array of 
challenging positions is a testament to Chief Binnicker's assiduous 
work ethic and unwavering commitment to duty, and his successful 
service in myriad capacities led to his selection for various senior 
leadership positions.
  Thanks to his leadership abilities and wide-ranging experience, Chief 
Binnicker was selected in 1977 to serve as the Air Force Senior 
Enlisted Advisor on the President's Commission on Military 
Compensation, before going on to serve in a number of senior leadership 
roles. As a result of his exceptional service, Chief Binnicker was 
selected in 1985 for the 33-year extended tenure program, and in July 
1986 he became the ninth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. During 
his four-year tenure as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Chief 
Binnicker served as an adviser to Secretary of the Air Force Edward C. 
Aldridge Jr. and Air Force Chief of Staff General Larry D. Welch. In 
this position, he advised Secretary Aldridge and General Welch on 
matters concerning welfare, effective utilization and progress of 
enlisted members of the Air Force. During his distinguished career, 
Chief Binnicker received a number of major awards and decorations, 
including: the Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Bronze 
Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; 
Joint Service Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with oak 
leaf cluster; Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars; Republic 
of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; and the Republic of Vietnam 
Campaign Medal.
  As with so many of our Nation's brave servicemembers, the leadership 
skills and executive experience gained by Chief Binnicker during his 
military career translated to immense success in the civilian world. 
Following his retirement from the Air Force, Chief Binnicker worked for 
a number of years as a senior vice-president at a major insurance 
company, before being selected to serve as the President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc. in beautiful 
Shalimar, Florida. In this position, Chief Binnicker oversaw the 
operations of Teresa Village, Bob Hope Village, and the Hawthorn House, 
ensuring a first-class retirement life for more than 400 residents.
  In addition to his military service and successful business career, 
Chief Binnicker was also a leader in the veterans' community and in 
Northwest Florida's civil society. He served as the director of 
numerous organizations, including the Air Commando Association; the Air 
Force Memorial Foundation; the Air Force Sergeants Association Museum 
Foundation; and Emerald Coast Hospice. As a result of his leadership 
and excellence, he received numerous awards, including the Air Force 
Sergeants Association's Americanism Award and the Executive of the Year 
Award from the Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
  To some Chief Binnicker will be remembered as a patriot who served 
his country with honor and distinction, reaching the highest echelons 
of Air Force enlisted service as a result of his character and 
commitment to service; to others he will be remembered as a successful 
business executive and leader in civil society; to his family and 
friends he will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, and 
grandfather.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored 
and privileged to recognize the life of Chief Master Sergeant James C. 
Binnicker. My wife Vicki joins me in extending our prayers and deepest 
condolences to his wife, Jan; children, Carmen and Michael; and 
granddaughter, Julia.

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