[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 96 (Friday, July 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1504-E1505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE SERVICE OF CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FOUR CHRIS J. 
                      SCHERKENBACH TO OUR COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2005

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Chief 
Warrant Officer Four Chris J. Scherkenbach, who died on June 28 from 
injuries sustained during combat operations in Afghanistan and in 
service to our country.
  Chris was proud to serve in the United States Army for 18 years, and 
as a Night Stalker was a member of our Special Operations forces for 
the past 8 years. He had been assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Hunter Army 
Airfield in Georgia.
  Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach's awards and decorations 
include the Air Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, 
Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces 
Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global 
War on Terror Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, the 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service 
Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Senior Army Aviator Badge. He was 
posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal and an Air 
Medal with Valor device, the Master Army Aviator Badge, the Meritorious 
Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
  Chris's family describes him as a strong man who had a firm sense of 
justice, who believed in his mission and stood up for what he knew was 
right, and who perished doing what he loved.
  We should all remember Chris's courage and his ultimate sacrifice for 
our nation--``Greater love hath no man than to give up his

[[Page E1505]]

life for others.'' The freedom we enjoy and the liberty in the world 
for which he fought are part of the great legacy Chief Warrant Officer 
Four Chris J. Scherkenbach leaves behind.
  A native of Jacksonville, Chris was born in Illinois on November 3, 
1964. A devoted husband to his wife Michelle, Chris was also a loving 
son, brother and uncle and will be dearly missed. To all of Chris's 
family, we extend our deepest sympathy.
  Mr. Speaker, because of Chief Warrant Officer Four Chris J. 
Scherkenach's sacrifice for our country, I ask all Members of the U.S. 
House of Representatives to join me in recognizing his service in our 
nation's Armed Forces and remembering both his life and his dedication 
to the United States of America.

                          ____________________