Petty Officer Walter G. Eife

Floor Speech

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Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Petty Officer Walter G. Eife.

Born and raised in Haddon Township, New Jersey, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife served in the United States Navy as a Radar Technician and Radio Operator. From 1955 to 1962, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife served on active duty in the United States Navy. He attended bootcamp in Bainbridge, Maryland before attending Radar/Electronics school in Norfolk, Virginia. First assigned to submarine duty on the U.S.S. Redfin, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife was transferred to U.S.S. DuPont where he helped to patrol the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea for anti-submarine patrols.

During the Berlin Crisis, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife was again called to serve our Nation on active duty, stationed on the U.S.S. McNair. There he helped to patrol the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea on U.S.S. Wasp CVS 19, as a member of Hunter Killer Group Bravo. Their responsibility was to track and find Soviet submarines. Following his time on the west coast at Radar/Electronics school, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife was assigned to serve on the U.S.S. Basilone where he continued to assist in the efforts of tracking and locating Soviet submarines until 1965, when he was honorably discharged on St. Patrick's Day in Newport, Rhode Island. Following his active duty service, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife valiantly served our Nation for another two decades in the United States Naval Air Reserves.

As a civilian, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife utilized the knowledge gained in the military in his career where he dedicated thirty-five years to the telecommunications industry. Employed by Bell Telephone for twenty years prior to twelve years with AT&T, as well as another three years with Lucent Technologies. While working in the telecommunications industry, Petty Officer Eife served his fellow colleagues as President of Federation of Telephone Workers of Philadelphia, Local 12, which is recognized today as the Communications Workers of America.

Petty Officer Walter Eife has been a resident of South Jersey for the last 48 years. He is the husband of fifty-five years to Marge Eife, father of four Haddon Township High School graduates, and grandfather of fifteen. Petty Officer Walter G. Eife is a lifelong fervent volunteer across several local little leagues and high school sports. He has been a committed coach, umpire, writer for the local Retrospect newspaper, and served as Treasurer. He is also a dedicated member of the local VFW, American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association and Knights of Columbus, and is the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal and more for his service overseas.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Petty Officer Walter G. Eife of Haddon Township, New Jersey, a resident dedicated to his community, country, and those who have bravely served and defended the United States of America.

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