[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO LANCE CORPORAL JOSHUA BUTLER

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                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2005

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the bravery and 
heroism of Lance Corporal Joshua Butler of the United States Marine 
Corps. Lance Corporal Butler's valiant and selfless actions during his 
tour of duty in Iraq make him a true American Hero.
  On the morning of April 11, 2005, only three days after his twenty-
first birthday, Lance Corporal Butler helped thwart an insurgent attack 
against the Marines of India Company stationed at Camp Gannon, near the 
Syrian border. While standing guard in a lookout tower, an explosive-
laden dump truck charged the camp's gate. Lance Corporal Butler opened 
fire on the truck, causing it to swerve and miss the gate before 
exploding.
  Even though the explosion threw Lance Corporal Butler to the ground 
and covered him with debris, he quickly returned to his feet in time to 
intercept an armored fire truck manned by two suicide bombers bearing 
down on the camp. Again, Lance Corporal Butler opened fire on the 
bombers, sending over 100 rounds into the fire truck. The truck 
detonated without being able to breach Camp Gannon's gate. So powerful 
was this second explosion, that it sent debris over 400 yards away and 
hurled Marines from their bunks.
  Despite a third suicide bomber attack and over 30 armed insurgents, 
who at one point cowered behind a group of school children, the Marines 
at Camp Gannon were able to escape serious injury in large part because 
of the courageous actions of Lance Corporal Butler. ``Butler--that day, 
that Marine--that's the critical error the insurgents made. They 
thought they could keep the Marine's heads down. But he gets back up,'' 
remarked camp commandant Captain Frank Diorio.
  The actions of Lance Corporal Butler and his fellow Marines on April 
11th make me proud of our men and women in uniform and grateful for 
their service. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Lance 
Corporal Joshua Butler for his heroism and thanking him for his 
patriotic dedication to this great nation.

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