Sam Johnson: U.S. Congressman, Third District of Texas

Washington, Dec 3, 2011 -

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) recognized the service and sacrifice of eleven local veterans at a public ceremony for his first annual Congressional Veteran Commendation (CVC).  Johnson launched CVC in April 2011 as a way to formally recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of residents of the Third District of Texas.

The CVC, in conjunction with the Veterans History Project sponsored by the Library of Congress, is a nominations-based program that preserves the personal accounts of veterans for future generations. 

“I am proud to know great patriots like these veterans here in our own community,” said Johnson.  “It is an honor to recognize their service to America.  The Congressional Veteran Commendation is a wonderful way to ensure that their stories are passed down to our children and grandchildren as shining examples of patriotism and duty.”

An eight-member selection board comprised of local individuals dedicated to serving as leaders in their community advised and assisted in the nominations and selection process.  Congressman Johnson, along with the selection board, recognized the inaugural group of recipients at the December 3^rd event in Plano.  Johnson also presented a Congressional Record chronicling the veterans’ military service.  Information on each honoree follows:

U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (ret.) Scott Bradley of Murphy served our country for 23 years.  During Bradley’s deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his task was to secure and detail all insurgents coming through the hospital.  For this, among many other heroic efforts, Bradley has been awarded t he Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, and two Army Achievement Medals.  He also received the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.  Bradley now serves his community as a City Councilman in Murphy.

Thomas Garner of Plano joined the U.S. Army during World War II as part of the Air Corps.  At the end of WWII, Garner entered the U.S. Air Force, where he deployed to Japan, Wake Island, Bermuda, Bangkok and Thailan during his 27 years of active duty service.  Garner has also served with the Texas State Guard, receiving numerous awards and citations and achieving the rank of Colonel.  Garner remains an active community servant with the Plan oCFW and Air Force Sergeant’s Association.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Allen Goehring, Jr. of Richardson has honorably served our country since 1986.  Most recently, Goehring deployed to Iraq as a Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent with the 1149^th Military Police Detachment of the Texas Army National Guard.  When home, Goehring works for the Richardson Police Department where he has received forty-two citizen and Departmental commendations – one including the Master Peace Officer, the highest certification available to an officer.

U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Robert Kinne of McKinney served an impressive 21-year career as a distinguished fighter pilot.  Kinne flew numerous combat missions over Vietnam and received three Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Air Medals, a Bronze Star, and two Meritorious Service Medals.  Kinne remains closely involved with the community as a member of the Red River Valley Fighter Association, National Air and Space Society, and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Colonel Peter Malik of McKinney serves in the U.S. Army Reserve as Commander of the 90^th Sustainment Brigade in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Malik has deployed for both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  Malik’s brave efforts during combat have undoubtedly saved lives during enemy attacks.  When stateside, Malik serves as an officer with the Dallas Police Department and a volunteer for the Dallas Military Ball, Assist the Officer Foundation, Texas Special Olympics, and Fisher House.

Chief Warrant Officer Elizabeth McCormick of Dallas served in the U.S. Army where she was quickly promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 and served as Rear Detachment C Company Commander during peacekeeping operations in Kosovo.  For her excellent service, McCormick was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Army Aviator Badge.  McCormick is now a Longaberger Consultant and President of the Firewheel Chapter of Women of Visionary influence.

Specialist Richard Oliver of Sachse served in the United States Army where he trained to perform decontamination of field units in the event of a combat nuclear exchange.  Having served with great distinction, Oliver was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Drivers Badge.  Oliver now serves Sachse as a Police Officer, through the Sachse Shares project, and as the driving force behind the annual Christmas food and toy drive for needy families.

Jim Reed of Plano served as a rifleman in the U.S. Marine Corps where he fought in World War II at the Battle of the Marshall Islands, the Battle of Saipan, the Battle of Tinian and the taking of Iwo Jima.  Reed was severely wounded twice during combat, earning him two Purple Heart medals.  A favorite speaker at Veterans Day events, Reed selflessly shares his story with all generations of Americans and serves veterans-support organizations around North Texas, including Daughters of WWII.

Captain George Robinson of Plano served 20 years in the U.S. Navy after graduating from the NROTC program at Princeton University and obtaining a Ph.D. in civil engineering through a four-year Marshall Scholarship in the United Kingdom.  In 1974, Robinson became the third Naval Officer ever to be named a White House Fellow and was honored with the Legion of Merit upon retirement.  Robinson remains active in many civic, professional and religious organizations.

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Paul Simeon of Frisco is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Simeon earned a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Certificate of Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Meritorious Mast and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals.  Simeon serves as president of the Collin College chapter of Student Veterans of America in efforts to ease the transition for returning warriors from military service to academic life.

Sergeant Leni Mark Williams of McKinney served our country from 1942 to 1972 as part of three foreign wars: World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.  For his exceptionally heroic efforts, Williams has received the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor Device and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, and Parachute Badge.  Williams is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Lone Star Post 2150 in McKinney.

For more information about the Congressional Veteran Commendation, contact Johnson’s Richardson office at (972)470-0892.