[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    EOD TECHNICIANS KILLED IN ACTION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Crawford) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of two 
brave men who died serving their Nation. Explosive ordnance disposal 
technicians serve the important role of disarming explosive devices 
(IEDs) in war zones and here at home. As a former EOD tech myself, I 
know the dangers these soldiers face, and today I honor their ultimate 
sacrifice.
  Naval Lieutenant Christopher Mosko trained for more than a year to 
become an EOD technician. He was assigned to EOD Mobile Unit 3 for the 
past 3 years, and during that time, among other missions, he supported 
humanitarian operations following the earthquake in Haiti. He was 
killed in an IED blast in Afghanistan on April 26 of this year, 
directly supporting Navy and Army special operations forces.
  Lieutenant Mosko and his wife, Amanda, called San Diego home. 
Lieutenant Mosko was described by his command as a personable and 
outstanding leader who went out of his way to support his men. They 
also said he was a kind and gentle person who will be greatly missed by 
the EOD family.
  Twenty-five-year-old Marine Sergeant John Huling was killed by 
gunshot wounds inflicted by a person wearing an Afghan National Army 
uniform in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Sergeant Huling 
enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2006. He deployed to Iraq in 2007 and 
was on his second combat deployment. As an EOD tech, he was assigned to 
the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp 
Pendleton in California.
  Sergeant Huling's mother said: ``He was brave and selfless and gave 
his life for his country so everybody could enjoy the freedom that we 
live now.''
  Sergeant Huling is survived by his wife of 2 years, Priscilla; a 
brother, who is also a marine; and a sister.
  Mr. Speaker, Navy Lieutenant Christopher Mosko and Marine Sergeant 
John Huling are American heroes. Each brave man died in action 
defending the freedoms so many Americans take for granted.
  I did not know these two men, but to many, these men were sons, 
husbands, brothers and friends. Because they served, America and the 
world are safer and more free. Their families are in my thoughts and 
prayers, and I ask that all Americans remember the sacrifice they made.
  Explosive ordnance disposal technicians are the first line of defense 
in the war on terror, protecting our servicemembers from IED threats 
overseas and in homeland missions. The EOD community deserves the 
respect and full resources of the Department of Defense to continue 
their lifesaving mission.
  God bless the memory of Lieutenant Mosko and Sergeant Huling, and may 
God continue to bless the United States of America.

                          ____________________