[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 62 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E306] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-13
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. KELLY : I rise today to honor the upcoming retirement of Richard E. Davis, a superb Soldier and citizen who has served our Nation for forty-one years, including, since October 2021, serving as the Command Sergeant Major of Camp Shelby, Mississippi, the largest Reserve Component training site in the United States. A native of Petal, Mississippi, Command Sergeant Major Davis began his military career in the Mississippi Army National Guard on April 5, 1982, as a 62B, Construction Equipment Repairman. During his career, Command Sergeant Major Davis served in all levels of responsibility, including Track Vehicle Repairman, 3656th Maintenance Company, Camp Shelby, Mississippi; Armament Maintenance Supervisor, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 106th Support Battalion, Monticello, Mississippi; Senior Auto Repairman, 3656th Maintenance Company, Camp Shelby, Mississippi; Battalion Maintenance Operation Noncommissioned Officer, Headquarters, 223rd Engineer Battalion, WestPoint, Mississippi; First Sergeant, Forward Support Command, 223rd Engineer Battalion, in Aberdeen, Mississippi, the unit with which he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2011 through 2012. Upon return from overseas deployment, Command Sergeant Major Davis was assigned as the Mississippi National Guard Environmental Supervisor with Joint Force Headquarters, Mississippi National Guard, in Jackson, Mississippi. After completing his staff tenure, Command Sergeant Major Davis returned to the line units he knew and loved serving as the Command Sergeant Major, 890th Engineer Battalion, Gulfport, Mississippi. Following a successful assignment as the battalion level, Command Sergeant Major Davis was assigned as the 168th Engineer Brigade Command Sergeant Major from June 2018 until September 2021, after which time he was assigned as the Command Sergeant Major of Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in 2021. During his career, Command Sergeant Major Davis completed all levels of military education including Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, and, ultimately, the Sergeant Major Academy, as well as numerous other maintenance and training courses. Command Sergeant Major Davis distinguished himself as a tactical and technical expert during his deployment to Afghanistan and while serving at Camp Shelby, supporting mobilizing and deploying units, and, of course, numerous State Emergency Operations. Command Sergeant Major Davis's military awards include the Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon with a numeral IV; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Mississippi Medal of Efficiency; Mississippi War Medal; Mississippi Emergency Service Medal; Mississippi Service School Medal; and Mississippi Longevity Medal. I commend Command Sergeant Major Davis and his family for their dedicated support to our Army, our Soldiers, and this Nation. I congratulate him on an extremely successful career, his dedication to service, and wish him a fulfilling and restful retirement.