Jim Inhofe: “today I wish to pay tribute to a great leader and an exceptional officer, Rear Admiral Patrick ``Pat'' A. Piercey who…”

“today I wish to pay tribute to a great leader and an exceptional officer, Rear Admiral Patrick ``Pat'' A. Piercey who will soon retire from the U.S. Navy after over 35 years of dedicated service to the Nation. Rear Admiral Piercey is a native of Clinton, OK, and graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985. He is a true professional and a dedicated leader. Throughout his career, he commanded our great sailors at many levels, deployed numerous times in defense of the Nation and served in some of the most critical positions in our Navy. Rear Admiral Piercey has provided outstanding leadership, advice, and sound professional judgment on numerous critical issues of enduring importance to the Navy, Congress, and the Nation. Rear Admiral Piercey commanded USS Howard--DDG 83--USS Bunker Hill-- CG 52--Carrier Strike Group 9, and Naval Surface Forces Atlantic. Due to his sound judgment and intellect, Rear Admiral Piercey served in many critical assignments, including special assistant to the Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, executive assistant to the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Director for Operations--J3--U.S. Inda-Pacific Command. For the past 2 years, Rear Admiral Piercey has served as the Chief of Staff of U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.…”