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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEPHEN M. ``STEPH'' TWITTY
______
HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great
leader, an exceptional officer, and a dear friend. Lieutenant General
Stephen M. ``Steph'' Twitty, my fellow South Carolina State University
(SCSU) alumnus and Omega Psi Phi fraternity brother, will soon retire
after more than 36 years in the U.S. Army, and I commend him for his
extraordinary service to our country.
Lt. Gen. Twitty is a native of Chesnee, South Carolina and his
hometown has honored him by naming State Highway 11 in his honor. The
local American Legion Post 48 proudly displays signage proclaiming him
as a native son.
While growing up as a self-proclaimed ``country boy,'' Steph fell in
love with the military. His grandfather, Spc. Carson Mackerson, served
11 years in the segregated U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. As
a child, his grandfather ran him through infantry maneuvers in the yard
and inspired him to join the National Guard as a junior in high school.
He matriculated at SCSU and joined the Reserved Officers Training
Corps (ROTC) program, which had about 600 cadets at that time. Lt. Gen.
Twitty graduated among the top of his ROTC class in 1985, and having a
choice of any assignment, he chose to follow in his grandfather's
footsteps and become an Army infantryman.
He is part of a proud tradition at SCSU which boasts of 22 ROTC
graduates who have attained the rank of general officer. Lt. Gen.
Twitty is a shining example of a dedication to excellence and
leadership that SCSU's ROTC program instills in its cadets. He was
named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2004 and inducted into the SCSU ROTC
Hall of Fame in 2009. He has given back by establishing a program in
which senior Army officers provide mentorships and leadership
development to ROTC cadets at SCSU.
Lt. Gen. Twitty has earned a master's degree in Public Administration
from Central Michigan University and a master's in National Security
Strategy from the National Defense University. He has served five
combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. His service has taken
him to 174 countries and every continent except Antarctica, and he has
held some of the most critical positions in defense of our nation.
After his first assignment with the 101st Airborne Division at Ft.
Campbell, he deployed with the 24 Infantry Division during Operation
Desert Storm. He has commanded infantry units at the company,
battalion, and brigade levels. Lt. Gen. Twitty's assignments as a
general officer include deputy commander and commander of the 1st
Armored Division, Deputy Chief of Staff of the International Security
Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and commander of the First United
States Army.
For the past two years, Lt. Gen. Twitty has been the deputy commander
of United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. During this
period of extraordinary change and challenge in Europe's security
environment. He improved relationships with NATO allies and European
partners and through his strategic vision, Lt. Gen. Twitty successfully
led his command through some of the most complex national security
issues facing the United States. The foundations he established will
allow NATO and our Armed Forces to meet every mission requirement in
Europe. According to Forces Command Commanding General Robert Abrams,
``Lt. Gen. Twitty has provided outstanding leadership, advice, and
sound professional judgment.''
His numerous awards and decorations include the Silver Star Medal,
the nation's third highest award for valor. He received the honor for
his extraordinary combat leadership of the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd
Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment during the initial assault on Baghdad,
Iraq in 2003. He was inducted in the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame in
2018.
Lt. Gen. Twitty is married to the former Karen Wilson. They have two
daughters, Ashley and Brooke. The family has served alongside him
throughout his career, and their service is appreciated as well.
Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in thanking
Lt. Gen. Twitty for his commitment to service, sacrifices for, and
contribution to this great nation and wishes of success in his future
endeavors.