Barry Loudermilk: “I rise today to recognize a friend and former member of my congressional staff, Mr. John Bart Mitcham, on his milestone…”

“I rise today to recognize a friend and former member of my congressional staff, Mr. John Bart Mitcham, on his milestone birthday and for his service to Georgia's 11th Congressional District, the State of Georgia, and the United States of America. Mr. Bart Mitcham was born on December 24, 1945, in Ada, Oklahoma, to John and Virginia Mitcham. Bart's parents both served in the United States Navy during World War II, with his father serving as a naval aviator on the USS Hornet during some of the most critical moments in the Pacific theater. Bart knew from an early age that he wanted to serve his country as a naval aviator. So eager to learn to fly, Bart washed aircraft in exchange for 1 hour of flight time while he was in high school. He also served as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Bart attended Tyler Junior College on a music scholarship, where he played in the school's band and performed at high-profile events, including the Cotton Bowl, as well as Dallas Cowboys games. He later transferred to the University of Oklahoma, Edmond, where he graduated in 1968, commissioning as an ensign in the United States Navy. Fulfilling his lifelong dream to become a naval aviator like his father, Bart began naval flight training and, upon graduation, was assigned to Naval Air Station Dallas, where he flew the storied F-4 Phantom. Bart was then transferred to the USS Enterprise, where he flew combat missions in Vietnam.”