[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 83 (Monday, June 27, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: June 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO MAJ. GEN. JOHN G. CASTLES, VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, today I ask that my colleagues join with
me in paying tribute to an outstanding individual as he prepares to
retire following an illustrious and dedicated career. Maj. Gen. John G.
Castles, Adjutant General of Virginia's National Guard, agency head of
the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, has devoted a lifetime to
serving his country and his State. Since 1982, he has been responsible
for the management of the 8,800-member Virginia Army National Guard and
the 1,200-member Virginia Air National Guard.
General Castle's record of accomplishment was best summarized by his
successor, Brig. Gen. Carroll Thackston. Gen. Thackston recently
pointed out that, when Gen. Castles assumed the Adjutant General's
position in 1982, the Virginia National Guard was ranked 51st in the
country in the management of its resources; national recognition was
nonexistent.
Three years later, thanks to Gen. Castles' leadership and management,
Virginia ranked No. 1 in the Nation, a position it has maintained since
that time. Additionally, national awards too numerous to mention have
been bestowed on Virginia units during Gen. Castles' 12 years of
stewardship. The Kerwin Trophy, given to the most outstanding
Battalion-size unit in the National Guard and Army Reserve, has been
awarded to Virginia in two of the past 4 years. Thanks to Gen. Castles'
guidance and command, Virginia enjoys a well-deserved reputation
nationwide as a leader.
Gen. Castles' commitment to military service began early: he was
graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in Pennsylvania in 1943.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in May of that year, completing Infantry
Officer Candidate School and earning a commission as second lieutenant
in 1944. He was first assigned as a rifle platoon leader in the 345th
Infantry, 87th Infantry Division, 3d Army during the Ardennes campaign.
Following subsequent assignments as battalion patrol leader and weapons
platoon leader through the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns, he
served in the 30th and 4th Infantry Divisions prior to being discharged
on April 15, 1946.
General Castles joined the Virginia Army National Guard while a
student at the University of Virginia. He was assigned to the
Monticello Guard, Company K, 116th Infantry located in Charlottesville,
VA. After serving as commander of this company, he was assigned as the
logistics officer of the 3d Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment for 4
years. This was followed by 7 years as operations officer at the
battalion, battle group and brigade levels.
In 1964, he took command of the 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry,
headquartered in Lynchburg. Four years later he was assigned to the
Virginia Emergency Operations Headquarters as operations officer and,
later, as chief of staff. He then assumed command of the 224th Field
Artillery Group, where he remained until he was named chief of staff of
the Virginia Army National Guard.
On February 8, 1974, he was given Federal recognition and promoted to
the rank of brigadier general. In 1977, he assumed command of the 116th
Infantry Brigade (Separate), best known as the Stonewall Brigade. He
held that post until his retirement in 1979.
In August of 1982, he was appointed adjutant general by the then-
Governor of Virginia and now my colleague, Senator Robb. He was
promoted to major general the following year.
The roster of General Castles' military decorations and awards is as
impressive and illustrious as that garnered by Virginia under his
command. They include the Army Distinguished Service Medal; the Legion
of Merit with oak leaf cluster; the Bronze Star; the Meritorious
Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the European-African-Middle
Eastern Campaign Medal with three stars; the World War II Victory
Medal; the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany); the Humanitarian Service
Medal; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal; the Army Reserve Components
Achievement Medal; the combat infantry badge; the National Guard Bureau
Distinguished Service Medal; the Virginia Distinguished Service Medal
with gold dogwood blossom; Virginia Service Medal with six gold dogwood
blossoms; the American Legion District of Virginia Distinguished
Service Medal; the McArthur Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army
Meritorious Service Medal; the Order of Founders and Patriots of
America Distinguished Service Medal. Appropriately enough, he is also a
member of the Infantry Officers' Candidate School Hall of Fame.
A beef cattle farmer in civilian life, General Castles and his wife,
the former Dorothy T. Rowe, make their home in Caroline County. He has
passed his love of military life on to his children: his daughter,
Sally, is a captain in the Individual Ready Reserve, and his son, John,
is an Army captain in the 2d Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at
Fort Lewis, WA.
General Castles' civic affairs reflect his career commitments. He is
a member of the National Guard Association of the United States, the
Virginia National Guard Association, and the Alumni Association of
Valley Forge Military Academy. Additionally, he serves as a member of
the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors.
Few individuals have given so much to the service of their country,
on active duty in wartime, with the National Guard and ultimately as
adjutant general. General Castles' record of achievement will long be
remembered, and emulated, by those who follow in his footsteps.
I am pleased to have this opportunity to pay tribute to General
Castles, to thank him for his many contributions, and to extend every
best to him and to his family for joyous, fruitful and prosperous years
ahead. I know that my colleagues join with me in this well-deserved
recognition for a lifetime of service.
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