[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 166 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF SERGEANT SOUTRA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2012

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary achievements of Marine Sergeant William Soutra, Jr in 
Afghanistan. Sergeant Soutra recently received the Navy Cross, the 
second highest honor given for valor in combat.
  Sergeant Soutra is a resident of Worcester and a 2004 graduate of 
Worcester Vocational High School, where he played lacrosse, football, 
and hockey. Sergeant Soutra attended Becker College before joining the 
Marines in 2005.
  Over a two day attack beginning on July 10, 2010, Sergeant Soutra's 
element leader was mortally wounded by an improvised explosive device. 
With his unit disoriented, Soutra, alongside his military dog Posha, 
immediately took charge. Sergeant Soutra, without an interpreter, 
physically re-positioned each Afghan commando to fire in an accurate 
manner before repeatedly running through enemy gunfire to lead his 10-
man commando unit across 1,100 meters of open terrain, all while 
``relentlessly'' firing his rifle. Additionally, Sergeant Soutra helped 
carry casualties out of the line of fire while orienting air support 
from jets and helicopters.
  Simply, his actions went beyond the call of duty, saving the lives of 
Marines, Sailors, and Afghan commandos.
  Too often, heroic actions of our military's elite special operations 
forces, like Sergeant Soutra, go unrecognized. It is simply the nature 
of their job to take on the most dangerous tasks, with no hope for 
glory or public acknowledgement.
  Sgt. Soutra put his own life on the line without a second thought, 
not because he expected credit, but because it was the right thing to 
do to protect his men.
  Mr. Speaker, our nation is lucky to have men like Sergeant Soutra 
serving us. I know that all of my colleagues, constituents, and fellow 
residents of Worcester will join me in offering our humble gratitude 
for his actions, and sincere congratulations on his recognition.

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