Ted Lieu was promoted to Colonel in a ceremony held in Washington, DC
June 15, 2016
Los Angeles — Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel in the Air Force Wednesday in a ceremony conducted by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James in Washington, DC, Ted Lieu’s office here announced.
The ceremony held at Capital Hill was observed by Lieu’s family, friends and honored guests, including House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald.
Mr. Lieu served four years active duty in the Air Force and currently serves in the Air Force Reserves for a total of 20 years of service.
Lieu was immigrated to the United States from Taiwan with his parents when he was three years old. He became the first Chinese American who was not born in the country to win the seat at the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.
Mr. Lieu’s promotion to Colonel is a rare event. Of the 660,000 men and women serving in the U.S. Air Force on active duty, reserves, and guard, less than four thousand have attained the rank of Colonel.
During his Air Force career, Mr. Lieu served on active duty in Operation PACIFIC HAVEN. He has also received numerous medals for his military service, including the Air Force Humanitarian Service Medal and multiple Meritorious Service Medals.
“As the son of immigrant parents who were able to achieve the American dream, I joined the Air Force on active duty and decided to continue to serve in the Reserves to give back to America – an exceptional country of boundless opportunity that has given so much to my family,” said Lieu.
“I am deeply humbled to be promoted to Colonel. Thank you to Secretary of the Air Force James, Leader Pelosi, Whip Hoyer, Veterans Affairs Secretary McDonald, and Representatives Moulton, Russell and Gallego for sharing this special moment with me today,” Lieu continued.
“It is a profound honor to be a part of the United States Air Force, a stalwart and steadfast family made up of imminently dedicated and skilled professionals who do so much to safeguard America in the air, in space and in cyberspace,” Lieu said at the ceremony.
“I look forward to continuing to serve our nation as an officer and as a Member of the House of Representatives. In both these solemn duties, I pledge to always honor the Air Force’s core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do,” Lieu concluded.