[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 139 (Friday, October 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, in recent months I have risen on 
several occasions to pay tribute to the men and women who are fighting 
in Iraq and elsewhere in the global war on international terror. Today 
I rise once again to pay tribute and to honor a young man who was 
recently killed in action in Iraq--Dustin K. McGaugh. Dusty was killed 
Tuesday near Balad, Iraq. He was 20 years old.
  Dusty grew up in Springdale, AR, and graduated from high school in 
Tulsa, OK. After graduation, he joined the Army ROTC. His father, James 
McGaugh, told one newspaper in Arkansas that Dusty joined the Army 
because he was looking for direction in life and because he ``wanted to 
serve and be part of something important.'' Dusty enlisted shortly 
before September 11, 2001--in fact, when the terrorist attacks occurred 
on that horrible day, he was undergoing basic training in boot camp. 
One newspaper account quotes a close friend who told of Dusty being so 
dedicated to his Army service that he finished his last three weeks of 
basic training after breaking his shin bone in a fall. Dusty decided 
not to report his injury, so that he might graduate from basic training 
on time with his colleagues. He graduated with special honors. In April 
of this year, Dusty's unit--the U.S. Army 17th Field Artillery 
Brigade--was deployed to the Middle East. He accepted his mission with 
pride and served with honor.
  Dusty is survived by his father James of Springdale; his brother, 
James McGaugh, of Claremore, OK; his mother, Marina Hayes, of Tulsa; 
his stepmother, Katrina McGaugh, of Springdale; and a twin sister, 
Windy McGaugh, of Derby, KS. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
extending our deepest condolences to Dusty's family and friends.
  When he learned that he would be going to Iraq, Dusty reportedly told 
one friend, ``I believe in this. I want to serve our country.'' His 
resolve and his commitment to his country will not be forgotten. The 
mission continues in Iraq, and we remain confident that Dusty McGaugh's 
courage and sacrifice will have been given in a worthy cause.
 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor SSG Daryl 
Devries of Armour, SD. Staff Sergeant Devries was recently awarded the 
Purple Heart for injuries suffered while serving in Iraq.
  Daryl was injured when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the Humvee 
he was riding in while on security patrol in northern Iraq. Daryl, who 
is a member of the 200th Engineer Company, was sent to Iraq in April to 
help assemble and secure a bridge across the Tigris River.
  The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington at 
Newburgh, NY, on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. The 
Purple Heart, which is awarded to a member of the Armed Forces who is 
wounded or killed in an armed conflict, is unique in that an individual 
is not recommended for the decoration; rather they are entitled to it. 
Daryl joins a heroic and honorable group of soldiers who have 
sacrificed their own wellbeing in service to our country.
  Let me also express my admiration for the South Dakota National 
Guard. With 750 members of the National Guard serving in Iraq, South 
Dakota has one of the highest rates of mobilization in the Nation. This 
high rate of service is a reflection of the hard work and pride South 
Dakota National Guard members maintain. These brave and accomplished 
servicemen and women regularly win national awards and rank at or near 
the top in National Guard performance tests and competitions. They 
represent South Dakota principles with remarkable distinction.
  I know Staff Sergeant Devries is a valued member of the South Dakota 
National Guard. As the father of a soldier who has recently returned 
from active duty service in Iraq, I am especially appreciative of his 
skilled and courageous actions. This prestigious award is a reflection 
of his military professionalism and extraordinary bravery.
  Mr. President, I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my 
gratitude to Staff Sergeant Devries. We are all proud and thankful for 
all that he has done and continues to do in the service of the United 
States of America.
 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor SP Tyler 
Campbell of Lemmon, SD. Specialist Campbell was recently awarded the 
Purple Heart for injuries suffered while on patrol in northern Iraq in 
July.
  Tyler, who is a member of the 854th Quartermaster Company, was sent 
to Iraq in April to help assemble and secure a 300-meter bridge across 
the Tigris River.
  The Purple Heart, which was established by General George Washington 
at Newburgh, NY on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War, is 
awarded to a member of the Armed Forces who is wounded or killed in an 
armed conflict. Tyler richly deserves this prestigious award, and joins 
a honorable group of soldiers who have admirably sacrificed their own 
safety while serving our country.
  Let me express my admiration for the South Dakota National Guard. 
With 750 members of the National Guard serving in Iraq, South Dakota 
has one of the highest rates of mobilization in the Nation. This high 
rate of service is a reflection of the hard work and pride South Dakota 
National Guard members maintain. These brave and accomplished 
servicemen and women regularly win national awards and rank at or near 
the top in National Guard performance tests and competitions. They 
represent South Dakota principles with remarkable distinction.
  I know Specialist Campbell is a valued member of the South Dakota 
National Guard. As the father of a soldier who has recently returned 
from active duty service in Iraq, I am especially appreciative of his 
skilled and courageous actions. This prestigious award is a reflection 
of his military professionalism and extraordinary bravery.
  Mr. President, I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my 
gratitude to Specialist Campbell. We are all proud and thankful for all 
that he has done and continues to do in the service of the United 
States of America.

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