[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 126 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING CORPORAL JACOB L. KAREUS, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2007

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize and commend the 
courageous effort of Marine Corporal Jacob L. Kareus by entering into 
the Record the following letter:

                                                     May 29, 2007.
       Dear Congressman Boozman: I am writing to inform you of the 
     performance of one of your constituents, Corporal Jacob L. 
     Kareus, United States Marine Corps, son of John L. and 
     Katherine D. Kareus of 7001 Ellsworth, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
       Cpl Kareus recently returned from a seven-month deployment 
     to Haditha, Iraq, with Company E of the Second Battalion, 
     Third Marine Regiment. Upon our arrival, Haditha, a city of 
     approximately 40,000 people on the Euphrates River in the 
     restive Al Anbar Province, had a reputation as one of the 
     most dangerous places in Iraq. Sunni insurgents frequently 
     attacked Cpl Kareus' patrol with small arms fire, sniper 
     fire, grenades and rocket and rifle vehicles. The insurgency 
     maintained a close handle on the populace by an effective 
     murder and intimidation campaign. Through their threatening 
     and pressure of public officials and government workers, 
     insurgents even controlled public works such as water and 
     electricity. Only 15 Iraqi Police remained brave enough to 
     work from the Marine forward operating base, while the 
     recruitment of new policemen was nonexistent. Cpl Kareus and 
     the rest of the Marines in Haditha were the tip of the spear 
     in the Iraq counterinsurgency.
       Through the heroic actions of your constituent, Cpl Kareus, 
     the city of Haditha saw unprecedented progress. By his 
     deployment's end, Haditha's police force numbered over 200 
     policemen and officers--many recruited from the people of 
     Haditha--and they conducted operations independent of the 
     Marines. Attacks on Iraqi Police and Marine patrols decreased 
     from an average of 5-10 per day to a handful per month. 
     Intelligence reports on insurgent activity flowed in 
     regularly from the people. The populace, previously terrified 
     to be associated with the Coalition, eagerly welcomed Marines 
     and policemen into their homes for tea and conversation. The 
     marketplace, or souk, bustled again, children played in 
     the streets, and even teenage girls--previously prohibited 
     by the insurgents from going to school--walked the streets 
     five days per week in their school uniforms.
       As his commander, I wanted to ensure you were aware of the 
     hero from your great state of Arkansas. Cpl Kareus's selfless 
     actions in Haditha honored his nation, his state, and his 
     family. In an age where our ideals of courage and commitment 
     and our resolve have waned, your constituent Cpl Kareus 
     exemplifies the principles of self-sacrifice and dedication 
     to a cause greater than himself.
           Sincerely,
                                               Captain M.W. Tracy,
                                     Company Commander, Company E.
  I wish to thank Captain Tracy for taking the time to write to me of 
the heroic service of Corporal Jacob Kareus and the Marines of Echo 
Company. I applaud Corporal Kareus's service to America, as well as to 
the people of Haditha.
  The motto for the 3rd Marines is Fortes Fortuna Juvat, which 
translates to Fortune Favors the Strong. It is our good fortune that we 
have the strength of character of men and women like Corporal Jacob 
Kareus serving to protect the freedom of all Americans.

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