Recognizing Commander Michael Yunker and His Dedicated Service to Our Great Nation

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Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Commander Michael Yunker for his impeccable and tireless service to our great Country, upon his retirement on December 1, 2020, after 20 years of service in the United States Navy.

Commander Yunker is the Operations Officer for the Navy Customer Facing Division, Customer Operations Directorate, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation. Previously, he served as the Division's Director of Industrial Support and Naval Aviation Enterprise Action Officer. He has been a member of the DLA workforce since January 2018.

Commander Yunker is a native of Aston, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Radford University, a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies--to include an Operational Planner Certificate from the U.S. Naval War College--and a Master of Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University. He is also a member of the Navy Acquisition Professional Community and is a Joint Specialty Officer. Commander Yunker's operational tours include: Principal Assistant for Services and Stock Control Officer; USS Enterprise (CVN 65); Assistant Supply Officer, USS Ashland (LSD 48); and Base Command Group, Multi-National Forces-West Base Fuels and Environmental Compliance Officer, al-Asad, Iraq.

As an Operations Officer, Commander Yunker's daily focus is centered around operations for the near-and long-term readiness and sustainment of 21 various naval aviation airframe models and 11 nuclear aircraft carriers. He serves as the initial point of contact for all inquiries supporting naval air stations and nuclear aircraft carriers globally. He assists the senior naval officer with service-related administrative tasks, to include: awards; fitness reports and evaluations; detailing; and any other duties as assigned/required.

Commander Yunker's prior shore assignments include: Director, Strategic Planning/Internal Review, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, Washington, D.C.; Joint Petroleum Officer and Logistics Planner, U.S. Strategic Command, Omaha, Nebraska; Midshipmen Disbursing Officer/Financial Advisor, Midshipmen Services Officer and Adjunct Instructor, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; and Director, New Construction Outfitting and In-Service Platform Manager Surface Ships, Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Commander Yunker's military awards and recognitions include, but are not limited to: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards); and various campaign and unit awards.

Upon retirement, Commander Yunker plans to start a second career in addition to spending more time with his family.

Madam Speaker, I'm humbled to recognize Commander Michael Yunker and, on behalf of the Citizens of the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, thank him for his decades of dedicated and selfless service to our great Nation both in times of peace and war.

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