[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 2ND PLATOON, COMPANY B, 2ND BATTALION, 162ND INFANTRY 
   REGIMENT, 41ST INFANTRY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, OREGON NATIONAL GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KURT SCHRADER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 6, 2011

  Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the 2nd Platoon, 
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry 
Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard for their heroic action 
during the Battle of Fallujah in November of 2004. The unit will soon 
be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their gallantry in 
combat. This will be the first award of the Presidential Unit Citation 
to a unit of the Oregon National Guard in over six decades. The last 
time a unit of the Oregon National Guard received this distinction was 
for their valor during the Second World War.
  The Presidential Unit Citation reads: ``On 03 November 2004, the unit 
was placed under the operational control of the 1st Regimental Combat 
Team of the 1st Marine Division, to execute offensive operations in the 
central Iraqi city of Fallujah. The unit was selected for the initial 
attack on the city and tasked with penetrating the enemy's defenses and 
isolating the Jolan District in northwestern Fallujah. The Jolan 
District was believed to be the strongest of the enemy's defenses. The 
unit's rapid penetration deep into the city overwhelmed enemy 
positions, leading the way for further exploitation by the Marines. 
Throughout the remainder of the battle, the unit continued to isolate 
western Fallujah while attacking and destroying numerous enemy strong 
points. The unit's heroic Soldiers, and their expert use of combined 
arms firepower, led to the destruction of the insurgents in Fallujah.''
  The soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Company B, 2-162nd Infantry have 
demonstrated the kind of courage, determination, and skill exemplifying 
the highest standards of the United States Armed Forces and reflect 
great credit upon themselves, the Oregon National Guard, and the United 
States Army.
  The Oregon National Guard has deployed 8,917 citizen soldiers 
worldwide in combat and counter-terrorist operations since September 
11, 2001. As our citizen soldiers have repeatedly demonstrated their 
dedication to the United States of America, we in Congress must 
reaffirm our support for the men and women who bravely serve our 
Country.

                          ____________________