TITLE: Congratulating U.S. Army Sergeant (Ret.) Santiago Jesse Erevia on his receipt of the Medal of Honor.

SUMMARY: Congratulating U.S. Army Sergeant (Ret.) Santiago Jesse Erevia on his receipt of the Medal of Honor.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, U.S. Army Sergeant (Ret.) Santiago Jesse Erevia distinguished himself through his heroic action in Vietnam on May 21, 1969, and for his exceptional valor that day, he has been awarded the Medal of Honor; and WHEREAS, A native of Nordheim, Santiago Erevia was born in 1946 and came of age during the Vietnam War; he enlisted in the army at the age of 22 and served in that conflict as a radio-telephone operator with the 101st Airborne Division; and WHEREAS, During a search-and-clear mission near Tam Ky, Vietnam, the platoon leader assigned then-Specialist Four Erevia the task of staying behind to administer first aid to a number of injured soldiers while the rest of the unit continued on; as Specialist Erevia did so, he came under hostile fire from four bunkers to his left front; rather than take cover, this courageous Texan crawled in full view of his attackers to gather ammunition from his wounded compatriots; he then charged directly at the bunkers and dispatched the enemy combatants, saving the lives of the men in his care; his valiant actions in the face of overwhelming odds was a source of inspiration for his entire company and contributed greatly to the completion of their mission; and WHEREAS, In addition to receiving the Medal of Honor on March 18, 2014, Sergeant Erevia has been recognized with the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with five bronze service stars; and WHEREAS, Sergeant Erevia left active duty in 1970 but went on to serve another 17 years as a member of the Texas National Guard; now a retired postal service worker, he lives with his wife in San Antonio and is the father of four grown children; and WHEREAS, Through his unhesitating selflessness and his unfaltering devotion to duty, honor, and his country, Sergeant Santiago Erevia has embodied the highest ideals of the U.S. armed forces, and he is deserving of the deep and lasting gratitude of every American; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Sergeant Santiago Jesse Erevia on his receipt of the Medal of Honor and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Sergeant Erevia as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Raymond Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2419 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House