Lieutenant General Carey Runway Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3256
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-11T14:45:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 3256 (the "Lieutenant General Carey Runway Act of 2025"), aims to honor Lieutenant General Richard E. Carey, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, by officially naming Runway 5L/23R at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point in North Carolina after him. It recognizes his distinguished military service, including combat roles in Korea and Vietnam, leadership in aviation and logistics, and key commands during significant operations like the evacuation of Saigon in 1975.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The act is titled the "Lieutenant General Carey Runway Act of 2025."
- Findings: The bill details Carey's biography, including:
- His enlistment in 1945, commissioning in 1948, and combat service in Korea (earning the Silver Star for actions at Inchon and Chosin Reservoir).
- Designation as a naval aviator in 1953, followed by various roles in squadrons, logistics, and operations.
- Command positions, such as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 513 at Cherry Point in 1966, Marine Aircraft Group 24 in Hawaii in 1971, and the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point in 1976.
- Promotion to lieutenant general in 1980 and retirement in 1983 after serving as Commanding General of the Marine Corps Development and Education Command.
- Awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Combat "V," Air Medal, Purple Heart, and various unit citations.
- Education: Graduate of the Naval War College and holder of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from George Washington University.
- Naming Designation: Runway 5L/23R at MCAS Cherry Point is officially named the "Lieutenant General Carey Runway" upon enactment. All future references to this runway in U.S. laws, regulations, maps, documents, or records must use this name.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no substantive changes to existing laws or policies. It is purely symbolic, amending only how the specific runway is referenced in official U.S. documents to reflect the new honorary name. No alterations to military operations, funding, or regulations are included.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Defense and Marine Corps may need to update signage, maps, and records at MCAS Cherry Point, but this involves minimal administrative effort and no additional costs or operational changes.
- On Citizens: Primarily affects military personnel and families associated with MCAS Cherry Point by fostering a sense of pride and historical recognition. It has no direct impact on the general public, taxes, or civilian aviation.
- On International Relations: None; the bill is focused on domestic military honors with no foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Marine Corps and MCAS Cherry Point Personnel: Direct beneficiaries through the recognition of a former commander's legacy at their base.
- Family and Associates of Lieutenant General Carey: Honors his contributions, potentially providing personal and communal validation.
- Congressional Committee on Armed Services: The bill was referred here for review, indicating oversight by lawmakers focused on military matters.
- U.S. Government Publishing and Documentation Entities: Responsible for implementing the name change in official records.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward and non-controversial; naming public assets (like military facilities) is a common congressional practice with no challenges to authority under the Constitution's military oversight powers (Article I, Section 8).
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in supporting the armed forces; no issues related to free speech, equal protection, or federalism.
- Political: Serves as a bipartisan gesture to honor military veterans, potentially enhancing support for the Marine Corps without partisan debate. It reflects a tradition of posthumous or retirement recognitions to boost morale, but carries no broader policy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-05-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Lieutenant General Carey Runway Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-07 — PDF (6 pages)