TRIBUTE TO TERRY McINTOSH

On 2026-08-04, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO TERRY McINTOSH" in the Senate.

TRIBUTE TO TERRY McINTOSH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 127 (Tuesday, August 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 127 (Tuesday, August 4, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4429-S4430] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO TERRY McINTOSH Mr. PAUL. Madam President, I rise today to honor the service of a true American patriot, Terry McIntosh of Paducah, KY. At the age of 17, motivated by a sense of duty to his country during the Vietnam war, Terry enlisted in the United States Army. Despite his youth, he would soon find himself on the frontlines, eventually assigned to Operational Detachment A-414, a Green Beret ``A-team'' operating along the Cambodian border. For his service in combat, which included multiple missions and a February 1969 firefight that [[Page S4430]] earned him the Combat Infantryman Badge, Mr. McIntosh stood shoulder- to-shoulder with the elite of our Armed Forces. For decades, the formal recognition of this service remained elusive. It was not until March 2026, following a review of his personnel records, that the Army retroactively awarded Mr. McIntosh the Special Forces tab--a long-overdue acknowledgment of his status as a Green Beret. Mr. McIntosh's story is a testament to the quiet professionalism of the soldiers who did the job without the need for fanfare or special recognition. As he noted, he sought this recognition not for himself, but so his children would know the nature of his service to this Nation. It is my privilege to recognize Mr. McIntosh today. His dedication at such a young age is an inspiration to all who value the courage of those who wear the uniform. We honor his service, we celebrate his official recognition as a Green Beret, and we thank him for his enduring commitment to this country. ____________________