[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING U.S. ARMY SERGEANT 1ST CLASS JOHN P. FLEMING, RECIPIENT OF THE 
                           SILVER STAR MEDAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 18, 2011

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring Army Sgt. 1st Class John P. Fleming, who was recently 
awarded the Silver Star Medal by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates 
while on active duty in Afghanistan.
  The Silver Star Medal is the third highest military decoration to be 
bestowed by the U.S. Army, after the Medal of Honor and the 
Distinguished Service Cross. First established as the Citation Star by 
an Act of Congress in 1918, the Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in 
action while engaged in military operations. The required gallantry 
must have been performed with marked distinction.
  John Fleming grew up in Alton, Illinois, and attended Marquette High 
School, graduating in 1996. He enlisted in the Army in 2001. John's 
family has a proud tradition of military service. Both of his 
grandfathers served in the Army and he has a brother who served in the 
Air Force.
  In 2010, Sgt. Fleming was in his first deployment in Afghanistan 
after three deployments to Iraq. On November 17 his platoon was engaged 
with the enemy in a Taliban stronghold in the Pech Valley of Kunar 
Province. Cut off from their main support, Fleming and his men came 
under heavy fire. Fleming had just put on his helmet before the bullets 
and shrapnel came raining in on them which no doubt saved his life. He 
took three shots to the helmet and one to his chest, which was 
protected by his body armor.
  While under intense enemy fire, Sgt. Fleming tended to his platoon, 
including patching wounds in a fellow soldier's chest and back. When 
support aircraft were sent to his position, Sgt. Fleming provided 
directions to the enemy locations so covering fire could enable 
evacuation of the wounded. Six soldiers from Fleming's platoon died as 
a result of wounds suffered during the battle.
  Sgt. John Fleming's courage and decisive action under the most 
extreme circumstances contributed to saving the lives of many in his 
platoon. For this tremendous gallantry, he was awarded the Silver Star, 
which was presented to him in a ceremony on December 7, 2010, by 
Secretary Gates.
  Sgt. Fleming and his wife, Helen, have two sons, Thomas, and John Jr.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sgt. 
John Fleming on receiving the Silver Star and expressing our sincere 
gratitude for his service to our country.

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