[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 200 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION FOR PETTY OFFICER STEPHEN LUNSFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT FALLON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2023

  Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Petty Officer 
Third Class Stephen Lunsford of Rockwall, Texas, and award him a 
Congressional Veteran Commendation. PO3 Lunsford honorably served in 
the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
  PO3 Lunsford comes from a military household and sought to continue 
his family's tradition of service. In 1961, he joined the Navy and 
first trained as an Aviation Metalsmith on the A-3B Skywarrior 
strategic bomber. After being transferred to the Seventh Fleet, he 
served as a Plane Captain on several aircraft carriers, including the 
USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Midway (CV-41), and the USS Coral Sea 
(CV-43). In this role, PO3 Lunsford directed flight operations on the 
carriers' runway and ensured that F-4 Phantom IIs safely took off for 
their combat missions. Additionally, he served on the USS Constellation 
when it sailed to the Gulf of Tonkin to provide air cover for American 
destroyers that were believed to be attacked by North Vietnamese 
torpedo boats. For his service, PO3 Lunsford was bestowed the Armed 
Forces Expeditionary Medal and Navy Unit Commendation with bronze star, 
along with several other awards.
  Today, he vividly recalls his experience working on the flight deck 
of aircraft carriers and that it was an exciting opportunity for 
someone as young as him to maintain the airworthiness and flight 
operations of the most advanced aircraft at the time. After his 
discharge from the Navy, PO3 Lunsford was able to transform the skills 
he gained in the Navy to successfully operate several businesses, 
including a nonprofit organization. For the past 40 years, he has 
served as a deacon at his church and taught Sunday school. PO3 Lunsford 
has also served as a disaster recovery chaplain and assisted victims of 
natural disasters. I strongly commend him for his efforts to set a 
positive example for his family and uplift our community through his 
generosity.
  I am honored to represent PO3 Lunsford in Texas' 4th Congressional 
District. It is a pleasure to award him the Congressional Veteran 
Commendation for his service to our Nation and to the people of North 
Texas.

                          ____________________