IN HONOR OF JOHN HENRY WALBRIDGE UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY -- HON. LARRY COMBEST (Extension of Remarks - October 06, 1995)
[Page: E1899]
---
HON. LARRY COMBEST
in the House of Representatives
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1995
- Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to John Henry Walbridge. After a distinguished career with the U.S. Government he is retiring from the Central Intelligence Agency's Clandestine Services.
- Mr. Walbridge is an exceptional American who has dedicated his life to service to his country. Mr. Walbridge began his career in Government service as a cadet at the Citadel, graduating in 1969. Thereafter, he entered service in the United States Army as a commissioned officer serving in Vietnam with distinction with the Green Berets. Following Vietnam, Mr. Walbridge joined the Foreign Service working there for 5 years when he concluded that he wanted to seek higher education and spend several years in Africa working on an advanced degree.
- His broad experience in the military, independence, and tenaciousness came to the attention of the Central Intelligence Agency as they were looking for bright young officers who could accept the challenging task of recruiting and handling human intelligence sources around the world. In 1982, Mr. Walbridge began a successful career at the Central Intelligence Agency serving in Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
- I wish to highlight that Mr. Walbridge served with great distinction in Central America making an important and lasting contribution to the establishment of democratic governments in the region. This contribution directly reflected his many talents, his steadfast loyalty, and his willingness to go to extra measures to ensure that this Nation's interests were well served. His performance was of such high caliber that he has been strongly recommended for the CIA's Career Intelligence Medal in recognition for a lifetime of achievement.
- As chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am proud to know that Americans like Mr. Walbridge are serving in our intelligence community. They are our first line of defense in a world that continues to be fraught with dangers. Please join me in wishing John Walbridge a happy and prosperous retirement.
END