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July 14, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize the extraordinary service of MG Thomas O'Connor on his retirement from the U.S. Army after more than three decades of distinguished service to our Nation.
country and has served with integrity, professionalism, and bravery. Since he commissioned from the U.S. Military Academy in 1994, Major General O'Connor has led a multitude of operational assignments, from commanding cavalry troops during the height of the Global War on Terror to being a key driver of modernization in Army aviation. Alabama, our Nation, and our entire globe are safer and more secure thanks to the discipline, dedication, and heroism of Major General O'Connor.
held key leadership positions at every level of command, including company command at Fort Hood, command of the 2d Squadron, 6th Cavalry in Afghanistan, and leadership of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss. He has served abroad on numerous deployments with the 101st Airborne Division and the 25th Infantry Division, including historic Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Atlantic Resolve. He has earned an exemplary reputation as a steadfast and skilled combat leader, and his experiences have provided him with a profound understanding of the needs of the American warfighter. His extensive tactical leadership, unwavering devotion to his fellow soldiers, and unique gift for combat strategy represent the absolute best that the U.S. Army has to offer.
strengthening military readiness, maximizing operational effectiveness, and prioritizing modernization abroad, his leadership at home is equally impressive. As commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, he played a pivotal role in strengthening our aviation and missile lethality around the globe. Additionally, as deputy commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, located at Fort Rucker, Major General O'Connor further strengthened the future of Army aviation. Most recently, in his role as the Director of Force Development for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General O'Connor has transformed the Army's modernization efforts. His leadership has directly ensured that American forces remained prepared, capable, and ready to respond to emerging global threats.
values of the U.S. Army: courage, vision, rigor, and a commitment to duty. His service has strengthened our military, safeguarded our national security, and inspired countless soldiers who served alongside him.
lifetime of highly respected and faithful service to the U.S. Army. On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank him and his entire family for their sacrifices and wish them the best as they enter into this new season of life. His legacy of courage and commitment will endure for generations to come.