November 20, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10711 

their loved one’s remains would be 

found and brought back to the United 

States. 

Now, thanks to the work of some 

dedicated men and women in the Department of Defense, Major McElroy’s 

remains have been identified. Along 

with the rest of his flight crew, Major 

McElroy will return from Vietnam and 

join the honored few who rest in Arlington National Cemetery. 

Born in Eminence, KY, in 1932, Major 

McElroy served his country in the 

Armed Forces for 12 years. Several 

months after his tragic death, he was 

posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal 

and the Purple Heart for his valor in 

uniform. 

At that medal ceremony were Major 

McElroy’s three children—Russell Lee 

McElroy, Mary McElroy Tucker, and 

Linda Anne McElroy Starnes. Russell, 

the oldest, was just 14 years old at the 

time. 

Now every one of them is older than 

their father ever was. And now it’s 

their turn to take care of the father 

who cared for them, by seeing him laid 

to rest this December 18 in a hero’s 

grave. 

Our Nation and the Commonwealth 

of Kentucky cannot be grateful enough 

for MAJ John Lee McElroy’s service 

and immense sacrifice. We owe the 

McElroy family a debt that cannot be 

repaid, because he died defending all of 

us and our freedoms. 

I know the entire U.S. Senate joins 

me in expressing comfort and pride 

that this courageous airman has finally returned home. It is never too 

late to honor our heroes. And it is 

never too late for one Kentucky family 

to say their farewells and see a hero 

rest in peace. 

f 

HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES 

Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, 

another 4 months have passed, and 

more American troops have lost their 

lives overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

I wish to memorialize their service and 

sacrifice by including their names in 

the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. 

Since I last included the names of 

our fallen troops on July 15, the Pentagon has announced the deaths of 162 

troops in Iraq and in Operation Enduring Freedom, which includes Afghanistan. They will not be forgotten and 

today I submit their names into the 

RECORD: 

CPL Aaron M. Allen, of Buellton, CA; 

CWO Christian P. Humphreys, of 

Fallon, NV; 

CWO Donald V. Clark, of Memphis, 

TN; 

SGT Jonnie L. Stiles, of Highlands 

Ranch, CO; 

SGT James M. Clay, of Mountain 

Home, AR; 

SPC Corey M. Shea, of Mansfield, 

MA; 

SGT Jose Regalado, of Los Angeles, 

CA; 

SPC Armando A. De La Paz, of Riverside, CA; 

SSG Timothy H. Walker, of Franklin, 

TN; 

PFC Theron V. Hobbs, of Albany, GA; 

SPC Adam M. Wenger, of Waterford, 

MI; 

SGT Daniel W. Wallace, of Dry Ridge, 

KY; 

PFC Bradley S. Coleman, of 

Martinsville, VA; 

SSG Scott J. Metcalf, of Framingham, MA; 

1LT Trevor J. Yurista, of Pleasant 

Valley, NY; 

SSG Kevin D. Grieco, of Bartlett, IL; 

SGT Nicholas A. Casey, of Canton, 

OH; 

PFC Cody J. Eggleston, of Eugene, 

OR; 

LCpl San Sim, of Santa Ana, CA; 

CPL Adrian Robles, of Scottsbluff, 

NE; 

SSgt Brian P. Hause, of Stoystown, 

PA; 

SGT Deon L. Taylor, of Bronx, NY; 

LCpl Stacy A. Dryden, of North Canton, OH; 

MAJ Robert D. Lindenau, of Camano 

Island, WA; 

SPC Heath K. Pickard, of Palestine, 

TX; 

SPC Justin A. Saint, of Albertville, 

AL; 

SGT Federico G. Borjas, of San 

Diego, CA; 

SGT John M. Penich, of Beach Park, 

IL; 

SPC Cory J. Bertrand, of Center, TX; 

SPC Stephen R. Fortunato, of 

Danvers, MA; 

SGT Preston R. Medley, of Baker, 

FL; 

SPC Christopher A. McCraw, of Columbia, MS; 

CPL Scott G. Dimond, of Franklin, 

NH; 

SGT Michael K. Clark, of Sacramento, CA; 

SPC Geoffrey G. Johnson, of Lubbock, TX; 

SGT Reuben M. Fernandez III, of Abilene, TX; 

CPL Jason A. Karella, of Anchorage, 

AK; 

COL Michael R. Stahlman, of Chevy 

Chase, MD; 

SGT William P. Rudd, of Madisonville, KY; 

SPC Jason E. von Zerneck, of Charlotte, NC; 

PFC Tavarus D. Setzler, of Jacksonville, FL; 

SPC Christopher A. Bartkiewicz, of 

Dunfermline, IL; 

CPT Richard G. Cliff Jr., of Mount 

Pleasant, SC; 

SFC Jamie S. Nicholas, of Maysel, 

WV; 

SFC Gary J. Vasquez, of Round Lake, 

IL; 

SPC Christopher T. Fox, of Memphis, 

TN; 

PFC Jamel A. Bryant, of Belleville, 

IL; 

SGT William E. Hasenflu, of Bradenton, FL; 

CPT Michael J. Medders, of Ohio; 

SSG Ronald Phillips Jr., of Conway, 

SC; 

1LT Thomas J. Brown, of Burke, VA; 

CH COL Sidney J. Marceaux Jr., of 

Beaumont, TX; 

CPT Bruno G. Desolenni, of Crescent 

City, CA; 

SSG Matthew J. Taylor, of Charleston, SC; 

PO3 Matthew J. O’Bryant, of Duluth, 

GA; 

SSG Nathan M. Cox, of Walcott, IA; 

PVT Joseph F. Gonzales, of Tucson, 

AZ; 

SGT Jerome C. Bell Jr., of Auburn, 

NY; 

SSG Brandon W. Farley, of Grand 

Prairie, TX; 

SSG Jason A. Vazquez, of Chicago, 

IL; 

1LT Mohsin A. Naqvi, of Newburgh, 

NY; 

CPT Bruce E. Hays, of Cheyenne, 

WY; 

SGT Joshua W. Harris, of 

Romeoville, IL; 

MAJ Rodolfo I. Rodriguez, of El 

Paso, TX; 

1LT Robert Vallejo II, of Richland 

Hills, TX; 

CPL Michael E. Thompson, of 

Harrah, OK; 

CWO Brady J. Rudolf, of Oklahoma 

City, OK; 

SGM Julio C. Ordonez, of San Antonio, TX; 

SSG Anthony L. Mason, of 

Springtown, TX; 

SGT Daniel M. Eshbaugh, of Norman, 

OK; 

CWO Corry A. Edwards, of Kennedale, 

TX; 

LTC James L. Wiley, of North Bend, 

OR; 

CPT Darrick D. Wright, of Nashville, 

TN; 

PFC Leonard J. Gulczynski I, of 

Carol Stream, IL; 

HM3 Eichmann A. Strickland, of Arlington, WA; 

LTC Ralph J. Marino, of Houston, 

PA; 

PVT Michael W. Murdock, of 

Chocowinity, NC; 

SGT Wesley R. Durbin, of Hurst, TX; 

SSG Darris J. Dawson, of Pensacola, 

FL; 

CWO Michael Slebodnik, of Gibsonia, 

PA; 

SFC Daniel R. Sexton, of Wentzville, 

MO; 

SPC Marques I. Knight, of San Juan 

Capistrano, CA; 

CPO Jason Richard Freiwald, of Armada, MI; 

SCPO John Wayne Marcum, of Flushing, MI; 

CPT Jesse Melton III, of 

Randallstown, MD; 

1LT Nicholas A. Madrazo, of Bothell, 

WA; 

PVT Vincent C. Winston Jr., of St. 

Louis, MO; 

PVT Michael R. Dinterman, of 

Littlestown, PA; 

PVT Jordan P. P. Thibeault, of South 

Jordan, UT; 

PFC Bryan R. Thomas, of Battle 

Creek, MI; 

SSG Kenneth W. Mayne, of Fort 

Benning, GA; 


jbell on PROD1PC69 with SENATE
S10712 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 20, 2008 

SFC Gregory A. Rodriguez, of 

Weidman, MI; 

PFC Patrick W. May, of Jamestown, 

NY; 

PO1 Joshua Harris, of Lexington, NC; 

SPC Steven J. Fitzmorris, of Columbia, MO; 

SPC Jorge L. Feliz Nieve, of Queens 

Village, NY; 

SPC Carlo E. Alfonso, of Spokane, 

WA; 

SPC Michael L. Gonzalez, of 

Spotswood, NJ; 

SGT David K. Cooper, of Williamsburg, KY; 

PFC Tan Q. Ngo, of Beaverton, OR; 

SSG Brian E. Studer, of Ramsey, MN; 

SSG David L. Paquet, of Rising Sun, 

MD; 

SFC David J. Todd Jr., of Marrero, 

LA; 

SFC George Stanciel, of Greenwood, 

MS; 

SGT Nickolas Lee Hopper, of 

Montrose, IL; 

LCpl Travis M. Stottlemyer, of Hatfield, PA; 

PFC Jonathon L. Luscher, of Scranton, PA; 

1LT Donald C. Carwile, of Oxford, 

MS; 

PFC Paul E. Conlon Jr., of Somerville, MA; 

PVT Janelle F. King, of Merced, CA; 

SSG Kristopher D. Rodgers, of 

Sturgis, MI; 

CPL Anthony G. Mihalo, of 

Naperville, IL; 

LCpl Juan Lopez-Castaneda, of Mesa, 

AZ; 

LCpl Jacob J. Toves, of Grover 

Beach, CA; 

PFC Daniel A. C. McGuire, of Mashpee, MA; 

CPL James M. Hale, of Naperville, 

IL; 

SGT Michael H. Ferschke Jr., of 

Maryville, TN; 

CPL Adam T. McKiski, of Cherry 

Valley, IL; 

CPL Stewart S. Trejo, of Whitefish, 

MT; 

PFC John A. Mattox, of Daingerfield, 

TX; 

SGT Kenneth B. Gibson, of 

Christiansburg, VA; 

SGT Jose E. Ulloa, of New York, NY; 

PO2 Anthony M. Carbullido, of Agat, 

GU; 

MSG Danny E. Maybin, of Columbia, 

SC; 

SGT Errol M. James, of St. Croix, VI; 

SPC Ronald A. Schmidt, of Newton, 

KS; 

PVT Timothy J. Hutton, of Dillon, 

MT; 

CAPT Garrett T. Lawton, of Charleston, WV; 

SGT Gary M. Henry, of Indianapolis, 

IN; 

SPC Jonathan D. Menke, of Madison, 

IN; 

SGT Jaime Gonzalez Jr., of Austin, 

TX; 

SSG Brian K. Miller, of Pendleton, 

IN; 

SGT Ryan P. Baumann, of Great 

Mills, MD; 

PFC Jennifer L. Cole, of American 

Canyon, CA; 

SPC Andre D. Mitchell, of Elmont, 

NY; 

SPC David J. Badie, of Rockford, IL; 

2LT Michael R. Girdano, of Pennsylvania; 

SPC William J. Mulvihill, of Leavenworth, KS; 

PVT Jair De Jesus Garcia, of 

Chatsworth, CA; 

SPC Kevin R. Dickson, of Steelville, 

MO; 

SGT James A. McHale, of Fairfield, 

MT; 

SSGT Faoa L. Apineru, of Yorba 

Linda, CA; 

SPC Seteria L. Brown, of Orlando, 

FL; 

PFC Ivan I. Wilson, of Clearlake, CA; 

1LT Nick A. Dewhirst, of Onalaska, 

WI; 

SSGT Danny P. Dupre, of Lockport, 

LA; 

BM3 Daniel R. Verbeke, of Exton, 

PA; 

PFC Willington M. Rhoads, of Las 

Vegas, NV; 

1LT Jason D. Mann, of Woodlynne, 

NJ; 

TSgt Jackie L. Larsen, of Tacoma, 

WA; 

LCpl Jeffery S. Stevenson, of Newton, NJ; 

SSG David W. Textor, of Roanoke, 

VA; 

SSG Jeremy D. Vrooman, of Sioux 

Falls, SD; 

1LT Jonathan P. Brostrom, of Hawaii; 

SGT Israel Garcia, of Long Beach, 

CA; 

CPL Jonathan R. Ayers, of Snellville, 

GA; 

CPL Jason M. Bogar, of Seattle, WA; 

CPL Jason D. Hovater, of Clinton, 

TN; 

CPL Matthew B. Phillips, of Jasper, 

GA; 

CPL Pruitt A. Rainey, of Haw River, 

NC; 

CPL Gunnar W. Zwilling, of 

Florissant, MO; 

SPC Sergio S. Abad, of Morganfield, 

KY. 

We cannot forget these men and 

women and their sacrifice. These brave 

souls left behind parents and children, 

siblings, and friends. We want them to 

know the country pledges to preserve 

the memory of our lost soldiers who 

gave their lives for our country. 

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I 

rise to pay tribute to 28 young Americans who have been killed in Iraq since 

April 16. This brings to 859 the number 

of service members either from California or based in California that have 

been killed while serving our country 

in Iraq. This represents 20 percent of 

all U.S. deaths in Iraq. 

PO1 Cherie L. Morton, 40, died April 

20 in Galali, Muharraq, Bahrain. Petty 

Officer 1st Class Morton was assigned 

to Naval Security Force, Naval Support Activity Bahrain. She was from 

Bakersfield, CA. 

SGT Guadalupe Cervantes Ramirez, 

26, died on April 23, 2008, in Camp 

Arifjan, Kuwait, of injuries suffered in 

a vehicle incident. Sergeant Cervantes 

Ramirez was assigned to the 2nd Transportation Company, National Training 

Center Support Brigade, Fort Irwin, 

CA. He was from Fort Irwin, CA. 

SPC William T. Dix, 32, died April 27 

at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of injuries 

suffered in a noncombat related incident. Specialist Dix was assigned to 

the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, I Corps, Fort Lewis, 

WA. He was from Culver City, CA. 

SGT Merlin German, 22, died April 11 

at Brooke Army Medical Center, San 

Antonio, TX, from wounds he suffered 

while conducting combat operations in 

Al Anbar province, Iraq, on February 

22, 2005. Sergeant German was assigned 

to the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 

Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, 

CA, while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant German’s parent unit was the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was 

medically retired September 28, 2007, as 

a result of his injuries. 

SSG Bryan E. Bolander, 26, died April 

29 in Baghdad from wounds suffered 

when his vehicle struck an improvised 

explosive device. Staff Sergeant 

Bolander was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd 

Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne 

Division, Air Assault, Fort Campbell, 

KY. He was from Bakersfield, CA. 

SGT Glen E. Martinez, 31, died May 2 

in Al Anbar province, Iraq, supporting 

combat operations. Sergeant Martinez 

was assigned to the Combat Logistics 

Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I 

Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp 

Pendleton, CA. 

LCpl James F. Kimple, 21, died May 2 

in Al Anbar province, Iraq, supporting 

combat operations. Lance Corporal 

Kimple was assigned to the Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics 

Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics 

Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 

Camp Pendleton, CA. 

CPL Miguel A. Guzman, 21, died May 

2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq, supporting combat operations. Corporal 

Guzman was assigned to the Combat 

Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics 

Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 

Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from Norwalk, CA. 

LCpl Casey L. Casanova, 22, died May 

2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq, supporting combat operations. Lance Corporal Casanova was assigned to the 

Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat 

Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. 

PFC Aaron J. Ward, 19, died May 6 in 

Al Anbar, Iraq, of wounds suffered 

when his unit came under small arms 

fire while conducting cordon and 

search operations. Private First Class 

Ward was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military 


jbell on PROD1PC69 with SENATE
November 20, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10713 

Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police 

Brigade, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from 

San Jacinto, CA. 

SPC Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, died May 

9 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of a noncombat 

related injury. Specialist Jaenichen 

was assigned to the Brigade Troops 

Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 

3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, 

GA. She was from Temecula, CA. 

SSG Frank J. Gasper, 25, died May 25 

in Najaf, Iraq, of wounds suffered when 

his vehicle encountered an improvised 

explosive device. Staff Sergeant Gasper 

was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th 

Special Forces Group, Fort Carson, CO. 

He was from Merced, CA. 

SGT Cody R. Legg, 23, died June 4 in 

Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered in 

Sharqat, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small 

arms fire and hand grenades. Sergeant 

Legg was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 

87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade 

Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, 

Light Infantry, Fort Drum, NY. He was 

from Escondido, CA. 

SGT John D. Aragon, 22, died June 12 

in Kadamiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered 

when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Sergeant Aragon was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 

75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade 

Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, 

Air Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. He 

was from Antioch, CA. 

SSG Du Hai Tran, 30, died June 20 in 

Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when 

an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on patrol during combat operations. Staff Sergeant 

Tran was assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 

Vilseck, Germany. He was from 

Reseda, CA. 

SGT Alejandro A. Dominguez, 24, 

died June 25 in Mosul, Iraq, from 

wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device on June 24. Sergeant Dominguez 

was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd 

Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, 

TX. He was from San Diego, CA. 

LCpl Jeffery S. Stevenson, 20, died 

July 13 from a nonhostile incident in 

Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Stevenson was assigned to the 

7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st 

Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. 

SSG Faoa L. Apineru, 31, died July 2, 

2007, from wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar 

province, Iraq. Staff Sergeant Apineru 

was assigned to Headquarters Company, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve. He was 

wounded on May 15, 2005. After his 

death on July 2, 2007, the initial medical examiner concluded that Staff Sergeant Apineru did not die from injuries 

sustained during his deployment, but a 

subsequent opinion by the Armed 

Forces Institute of Pathology indicated 

that his death was a result of his injuries sustained in Iraq. He was from 

Yorba Linda, CA. 

PFC Jennifer L. Cole, 34, died August 

2 in Bayji, Iraq, of injuries suffered in 

a noncombat related incident. Private 

First Class Cole was assigned to the 

426th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade 

Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, 

Air Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. She 

was from American Canyon, CA. 

CPL Adam T. McKiski, 21, died August 7 while supporting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal McKiski was assigned to the 1st 

Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. 

CPL Stewart S. Trejo, 25, died August 7 while supporting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal Trejo was assigned to the 1st 

Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. 

PVT Janelle F. King, 23, died August 

14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered 

in a non-combat related incident. Private King was assigned to the 115th 

Combat Support Hospital, Fort Polk, 

LA. She was from Merced, CA. 

COL Michael R. Stahlman, 45, died 

October 5 from injuries sustained in a 

July 31 nonhostile incident in Anbar 

province, Iraq. Colonel Stahlman was 

assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

SGT Michael K. Clark, 24, died October 7 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered 

when he encountered small arms fire 

while on dismounted patrol. Sergeant 

Clark was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. He was from 

Sacramento, CA. 

LCpl Stacy A. Dryden, 22, died October 19 from injuries sustained in a nonhostile incident in Anbar province, 

Iraq. Lance Corporal Dryden was assigned to 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, 

CA. 

SPC Armando A. De La Paz, 21, died 

November 13 in Baghdad, of injuries 

sustained during a vehicle rollover. 

Specialist De La Paz was assigned to 

the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery 

Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 

4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. 

He was from Riverside, CA. 

SGT Jose Regalado, 23, died November 12 in Mosul, Iraq, when an Iraqi 

Army soldier wearing a uniform approached him and opened fire. Sergeant 

Regalado was assigned to the 3rd 

Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Los 

Angeles, CA. 

CPL Aaron M. Allen, 24, died November 14 while supporting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal Allen was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from 

Buellton, CA. 

I would also like to pay tribute to 

the 29 soldiers from California who 

have died while serving our country in 

Operation Enduring Freedom since 

April 16. 

Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. 

Yelner, 24, died April 29 near Bagram, 

Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when 

his vehicle encountered an improvised 

explosive device. Senior Airman Yelner 

was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force 

Base, South Dakota. He was from Lafayette, CA. 

SFC David L. McDowell, 30, died on 

April 29, in Bastion, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when he received small 

arms fire. Sergeant First Class 

McDowell was assigned to C Company, 

2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, 

Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Ramona, 

CA. 

SPC Christopher Gathercole, 21, died 

May 26 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of 

wounds suffered from small arms fire 

during combat operations. Specialist 

Gathercole was assigned to the 2nd 

Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort 

Lewis, WA. He was from Santa Rosa, 

CA. 

PFC Chad M. Trimble, 29, died May 

28, near Gardez, Afghanistan, of wounds 

suffered when his vehicle encountered 

an improvised explosive device. Private 

First Class Trimble was assigned to the 

1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault, Fort 

Campbell, KY. He was from West Covina, CA. 

SFC David Nunez, 27, died May 29 in 

Shewan, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered small arms 

fire while conducting combat operations. Sergeant First Class Nunez was 

assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC. He 

was from Los Angeles, CA. 

PFC Michael Robert Patton, 19, died 

June 14 while supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. 

Private First Class Patton was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 

1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

PFC Dawid Pietrek, 24, died June 14 

while supporting combat operations in 

Farah Province, Afghanistan. Private 

First Class Pietrek was assigned to 2nd 

Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 

Twentynine Palms, CA. 

LCpl Layton Bradly Crass, 22, died 

June 14 while supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. 

Lance Corporal Crass was assigned to 

2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine 

Division, I Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

SGT Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington, 20, died June 14 while supporting combat operations in Farah 

Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Washington was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 

7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine 

Palms, CA. 

Hospitalman Marc A. Retmier, 19, 

died June 18 as a result of wounds suffered from an enemy rocket attack in 

northern Paktika Province, Afghanistan. Hospitalman Retmier was assigned to Provincial Reconstruction 

Team Sharana in Afghanistan. He was 

from Hemet, CA. 


jbell on PROD1PC69 with SENATE
S10714 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 20, 2008 

LCpl Andrew Francis Whitacre, 21, 

died June 19 while conducting combat 

operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Whitacre was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine 

Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine 

Palms, CA. 

CPT Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, died 

June 19 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. 

Captain Terhune was assigned to 2nd 

Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st 

Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

Hospitalman Dustin Kelby Burnett, 

19, died June 20 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Hospitalman Burnett was 

assigned to First Marine Division Detachment, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

SGT Matthew E. Mendoza, 24, died 

June 20 while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Mendoza was assigned 

to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 

1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

SGT Ryan J. Connolly, 24, died June 

24 in Khogyani, Afghanistan, of wounds 

suffered when his vehicle struck a suspected landmine. Sergeant Connolly 

was assigned to the 173rd Special 

Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany. He was from Vacaville, CA. 

SSGT Christopher D. Strickland, 25, 

died June 25, while supporting combat 

operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Strickland 

was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics 

Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 

Camp Pendleton, CA. 

SGT James M. Treber, 24, died June 

29 in Khosrow-E Sofla, Afghanistan, 

from injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled into a canal. Sergeant Treber 

was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Airborne, Fort 

Bragg, NC. He was from Imperial 

Beach, CA. 

SGT Israel Garcia, 24, died July 13 in 

Wanat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered 

when his outpost was attacked by 

small arms fire and rocket propelled 

grenades from enemy forces. Sergeant 

Garcia was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, Airborne, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat 

Team, Vicenza, Italy. He was from 

Long Beach, CA. 

PFC Ivan I. Wilson, 22, died July 21 

while supporting combat operations in 

Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Wilson was assigned to 

the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was 

from Clearlake, CA. 

PFC Jair De Jesus Garcia, 29, died 

August 1 in Chowkay Valley, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when his 

vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Private First Class Garcia was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 

4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade 

Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, 

Fort Hood, TX. He was from 

Chatsworth, CA. 

LCpl Jacob J. Toves, 27, died August 

14 while supporting combat operations 

in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 

Lance Corporal Toves was assigned to 

the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd 

Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. He was 

from Grover Beach, CA. 

SPC Marques I. Knight, 24, died September 6 in Aliabad, Afghanistan, of 

wounds suffered when he received small 

arms fire while on dismounted patrol. 

Specialist Knight was assigned to the 

1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry 

Division, Fort Hood, TX. He was from 

San Juan Capistrano, CA. 

SGT Jerome C. Bell Jr., 29, died September 19 while supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Bell was assigned to 2nd 

Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st 

Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

CPT Bruno G. Desolenni, 32, died 

September 20 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated 

near his vehicle. Captain Desolenni was 

assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters, Element Training Team, Oregon Army National Guard. He was 

from Crescent City, CA. 

Cpl Jason A. Karella, 20, died October 

9 while supporting combat operations 

in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Karella was assigned to the 2nd 

Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st 

Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

SGT Federico G. Borjas, 33, died October 16 in Bermel District Center, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from 

small arms fire during a dismounted 

patrol. Sergeant Borjas was assigned to 

416th Civil Affairs Battalion, 351st Civil 

Affairs Command, San Diego, CA. He 

was from San Diego, CA. 

LCpl San Sim, 23, died October 22 

while supporting combat operations in 

Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Lance 

Corporal Sim was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 

Twentynine Palms, CA. He was from 

Santa Ana, CA. 

Cpl Adrian Robles, 21, died October 22 

while supporting combat operations in 

Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Robles was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. 

1LT Trevor J. Yurista, 32, died October 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. First Lieutenant Yurista was assigned to 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. 

STAFF SERGEANT TIMOTHY H. WALKER

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, it is 

with a heavy heart that I rise today to 

honor the life and heroic service of 

SSG Timothy H. Walker. Staff Sergeant Walker, a member of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, was 

killed in Sadr City, Iraq on November 

8, 2008, when an improvised explosive 

device detonated near his vehicle. He 

was 38 years old. 

A native of Tennessee, Staff Sergeant 

Walker joined the Army in 1990. He 

served in Bosnia from 1999 to 2000, Kuwait in 2001, and also served two tours 

of duty in support of Operation Iraqi 

Freedom. During his most recent deployment, Staff Sergeant Walker, a 

combat medic himself, was actively involved in training Iraqis to treat combat wounds on the battlefield, and he 

served as the medical material coordinator for the Iraqi Security Forces logistics coordination team, which teaches Iraqi police officers and soldiers how 

to track and receive medical supplies. 

Throughout his 18 years of service, 

and in every capacity, Staff Sergeant 

Walker distinguished himself through 

his courage, his dedication to duty, and 

his willingness to take on any challenge—no matter how dangerous, no 

matter how big or small. His extraordinary bravery and talent earned him 

more than 20 awards and medals, including the Purple Heart, the Bronze 

Star, and the Meritorious Service 

Medal. 

Staff Sergeant Walker is remembered 

by those who knew him as a consummate professional and friend who they 

could turn to in times of need, and who 

they could always count on to raise 

their spirits in times of sadness. They 

recall his knack for giving people nicknames, and the infectiousness of his 

laughter. And, most of all, they remember his devotion to his wife and 

children, and to his country. 

The Greek historian Thucydides 

wrote that ‘‘the bravest are surely 

those who have the clearest vision of 

what is before them, glory and danger 

alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out 

to meet it.’’ Throughout our Nation’s 

history, the bravest have gone out to 

meet every danger that has imperiled 

our way of life. They stormed the 

beaches of Normandy and Iwo Jima 

facing long odds, and now, in 2008, they 

traverse the mountains of Afghanistan 

and navigate the cities of Iraq under 

constant threat of insurgent attacks. 

The bravest have kept us safe and 

strong. They will always make us 

proud. 

Staff Sergeant Walker’s service was 

in keeping with this American tradition. At substantial personal risk, he 

braved the chaos of combat zones 

throughout the world to attend to the 

injuries of his men. And though their 

fate on the battlefield was uncertain, 

his men knew that, in Staff Sergeant 

Walker, they were in good hands. For 

the lives he saved, and for the lives he 

touched, Staff Sergeant Walker will be 

forever remembered as one of the bravest. 

To Staff Sergeant Walker’s mother 

Barbara, his father Wayne, his wife 

Dawn, his children Gregory and Madison, his sister Shelly, and all his 

friends and family, I cannot imagine 

the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope 

that, in time, the pain of your loss is 


jbell on PROD1PC69 with SENATE
November 20, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10715 

assuaged by your pride in Tim’s service 

to his country and by your knowledge 

that his country will never forget him. 

We are humbled by his service and his 

sacrifice. 

SERGEANT JON L. STILES

Mr. President, it is with a heavy 

heart that I rise today to honor the life 

and heroic service of Sergeant Jon L. 

Stiles. Sergeant Stiles, assigned to the 

927th Engineer Company, 769th Engineer Battalion, was killed on November 

13, 2008, when an improvised explosive 

device detonated near his patrol in 

Shubhuyan, Afghanistan. He was 38 

years old. 

Sergeant Stiles grew up in Highlands 

Ranch, CO, and after graduating from 

high school, spent nearly 13 years in 

the U.S. Marine Corps and 2 years in 

the Army. Two years following his discharge, he moved back to Colorado, 

joined the Colorado National Guard, 

and was deployed to Afghanistan, 

where he worked to clear transportation routes of IEDs and insurgents in 

support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

This past October, Sergeant Stiles 

saved the lives of three fellow soldiers 

when he rescued them from underneath 

a burning vehicle that was struck by a 

suicide bomber, an act of incredible 

bravery that earned him the Bronze 

Star. He suffered serious damage to his 

lungs and vocal chords as a result of 

this incident, but instead of taking 

medical leave, he insisted on returning 

to battle. He believed strongly in our 

mission in Afghanistan, cared deeply 

for his men, and wanted to make a difference. 

Sergeant Stiles’ friends and family 

remember him as a soldier’s soldier 

with a passion for military service in 

his DNA. He was an avid outdoorsman 

known to brave sub-zero temperatures 

to get in a day of fishing. He was generous with hugs and incredibly loyal to 

his friends. He was a loving husband 

who wanted to live peacefully with his 

wife in the mountains of Colorado. And 

he was a proud American willing to 

sacrifice everything in defense of the 

country he held dear. 

Adlai Stevenson once asked, ‘‘what 

do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest 

that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility . . . a patriotism 

which is not short, frenzied outbursts 

of emotion, but the tranquil and steady 

dedication of a lifetime.’’ Sergeant 

Stiles felt this sense of responsibility 

at a young age and served with the 

steady dedication that reminds us of 

what it is to be a true patriot. In his 

memory, and with his inspiration, may 

we all continue to work to make our 

union more perfect, and our world safer 

for all. 

To Sergeant Stiles’ mother Linda, 

his father Lynn, his wife Launa, his 

sister Natalie, his brother Charles, his 

grandparents Maxine and Kenney, and 

all his friends and family, I cannot 

imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of 

your loss is assuaged by your pride in 

Jon’s service to his country and by 

your knowledge that his country will 

never forget him. We are humbled by 

his service and his sacrifice. 

SPECIALIST JAMES CLAY

Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, Arkansas 

is grieving for a young hero, a courageous soldier who was serving in Iraq 

as a member of the 224th Maintenance 

Company. This team keeps our troops 

safe and their equipment and vehicles 

running. It is a mission paramount to 

our soldiers’ success. 

A member of the National Guard for 

almost 7 years, SPC James Clay of 

Mountain Home, AR, showed great 

commitment and patriotism throughout his assignment with the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th 

Brigade Combat team. Of his service, 

MG William Wofford, adjutant general 

of the Arkansas National Guard recalls, ‘‘He was called to serve, and he 

answered that call with valiant service. 

He was a true patriot and will not soon 

be forgotten.’’ 

Specialist Clay’s untimely death has 

brought me to the Senate floor today, 

but I want to take a minute to honor 

his life. He overcame major obstacles 

in his personal life, including the death 

of both his parents, yet he graduated 

from Cotter High School in 2002 where 

teachers describe him as outstanding, 

considerate, and spirited. Friends remember Specialist Clay as a role model 

who persevered with dignity and humanity. Everyone who knew this 

young hero recalled his great smile and 

his compassion for others. It is no surprise that he died fighting for the peace 

and security of others. 

My prayers go out to Specialist 

Clay’s family and friends, particularly 

his high school sweetheart and wife, 

Mellissa Clay. During his second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln 

pledged, ‘‘to care for him who shall 

have borne the battle and for his widow 

and his orphans.’’ Mrs. Clay, we will 

never forget the sacrifice of your loved 

one, and we work to honor his memory, 

courage, and service to our great Nation. 

CORPORAL ADRIAN ROBLES

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Marine Cpl 

Adrian Robles, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on October 22, 2008. 

Corporal Robles, who was a native of 

Scottsbluff, NE, was assigned to the 

Second Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st 

Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Twentynine 

Palms, CA. He had worked his whole 

life to become a marine. At age 16, Corporal Robles told his parents about his 

plans to enlist and, at 17, asked that 

they sign forms which would allow him 

to join before his 18th birthday. His 

parents told him to wait, so he finished 

high school and then enlisted immediately. 

Corporal Robles had previously 

served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 

2006, and was on a tour serving in Afghanistan at the time of his death. Corporal Robles received three good conduct medals—an unusual achievement 

for such a young marine—as well as 

medals for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as a rifleman, the 

backbone of the Marine Corps. Originally deployed to help train Afghan 

Army recruits, his unit’s mission 

changed as the security situation deteriorated; and Corporal. Robles was ‘‘in 

the fight’’ right to the end. 

Fully aware of the dangers he faced, 

Corporal Robles made the courageous 

choice to serve his country and help 

the people of Iraq and Afghanistan 

achieve peace and security. He made 

the ultimate sacrifice so that others 

might enjoy the freedoms he had 

known all his life. 

Corporal Robles represents all that 

we have to be proud of in our Armed 

Forces. I commend his bravery and 

selflessness while offering my deepest 

condolences to the family members he 

left behind. It is small comfort for 

those who must now go on without one 

they loved so dearly, but they know 

that Corporal Robles gave his life for a 

noble goal. I join all Nebraskans—indeed, all Americans—in mourning the 

loss of such a fine young man. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO SENATORS 

GORDON SMITH

Mr. HATCH. Mr. President. I thank 

you for the opportunity today to pay 

tribute to a very special man, caring 

husband and father, and great Senator 

GORDON SMITH. 

Sadly, he will be leaving this august 

body soon and returning to private life. 

The United States Senate will be losing 

a great leader, a man of high integrity, 

and a true statesman. 

GORDON joined the United States 

Senate in January 1997, after winning 

an election as a rural conservative in a 

State defined by a more liberal landscape. After his election, Senator 

SMITH quickly made his mark as someone both sides of the aisle could work 

with for the good of his State and our 

Nation. He displayed the characteristics of what I believe makes a truly 

great Senator—someone who is willing 

to roll up his sleeves and battle for 

what he believes is right. 

His commitment to Oregon was exemplary. He focused on issues that 

were critical to the citizens of his 

State including education, health care, 

natural resources, and bridging the 

rural-urban divide. Along the way he 

displayed a true independent streak, 

bucking his party when he believed he 

needed to go a different direction for 

the good of those he represented. 

Senator SMITH’s leadership and abilities were greatly appreciated by the 

committee members he served with, 

and the positions he was asked to assume. As chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging he presided 

over critical issues facing our Nation’s 

aging population. In addition, he made 

tremendous contributions to four additional committees: Commerce, Science, 


jbell on PROD1PC69 with SENATE