The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MAJOR GENERAL GARY HARRELL
______
HON. DIANA HARSHBARGER
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Monday, August 23, 2021
Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Major General Gary Harrell, who is a distinguished veteran that has served our country in numerous combat operations and in both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. After an accomplished career in service to our country, Gary retired as the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Special Operations Command. It is my privilege to recognize him for his service and to honor his sacrifice to our country.
Gary earned his bachelor's degree in industrial technology from East Tennessee State University in 1973. His distinguished career began shortly after when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Anti-Tank (TOW) platoon leader. In 1977, having earned a Green Beret, he was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group in Panama.
Gary was deployed to Grenada during ``Operation Urgent Fury,'' and then took part in combat operations in Panama with ``Operation Just Cause.'' He was also sent to the Middle East during ``Desert Shield'' and ``Desert Storm,'' and as commander of the special operation Delta Force, he was wounded by mortar fire during United Nations relief efforts in Somalia, a story chronicled in the book and movie ``Black Hawk Down.''
In 2001, Gary was Assistant Division Commander for the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan, and during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he led the largest special operations force assembled since World War II. He retired in 2008 as the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Special Operations Command. Gary's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (with V-
device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Purple Heart among many others.
Gary is hailed as an expert in the special operations community, and he is highly respected by his colleagues and friends. He has been described as having ``unmatched expertise,'' and at his retirement ceremony in 2008, Lt. Gen. Robert Wagner stated, ``If it was complex, if it was difficult or critical to our nation, Gary was there.'' When being inducted into the ETSU ROTC Hall of Fame, it was said that ``to say General Harrell is a legend would be an absolute understatement.''
In retirement, Gary has served in several roles, including as Director General for King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) in Amman, Jordan and Senior Vice President of Special Operations and Intelligence Advisory Group for CUBIC Applications Inc. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been blessed with three children and six grandchildren. I am proud to join the chorus of Gary's family, friends, colleagues, and admirers in thanking him for his dedicated service to our Nation.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 149
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