[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO TECHNICAL SERGEANT GREGORY M. GRUTTER

 Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
heroic service of Rhode Island Air National Guard TSgt. Gregory M. 
Grutter. Technical Sergeant Grutter was awarded the Bronze Medal Star 
with Valor and the Purple Heart, and I honor him for the courageous 
actions he took to earn these awards.
  In 2008, Technical Sergeant Grutter was assigned as a security 
officer for the Defense Intelligence Support Office-Afghanistan. On 
March 20, 2008, while driving a convoy vehicle for the Guard, Technical 
Sergeant Grutter twice risked his own life to thwart enemy ambushes and 
save the lives of others.
  In the first instance, Technical Sergeant Grutter used his own 
vehicle as a shield to protect Afghan National Police officers driving 
an unarmored vehicle. Then, noticing the Afghan National Police's 
machine gun crew in distress, he dismounted from his own vehicle, ran 
through intense fire, and helped the police repair their weapons.
  While Technical Sergeant Grutter was working with the machine gun 
crew, enemy insurgents moved in to flank the convoy and began to 
prepare an attack. With great bravery, Sergeant Grutter ran 
approximately 200 meters over exposed terrain to engage the insurgents, 
which forced them to retreat. Shortly thereafter, the enemy disengaged 
and left the area.
  Unfortunately, a second ambush was already in the making. A large 
number of civilians became trapped by small arms fire from enemy 
forces. Without regard for his personal safety, Technical Sergeant 
Grutter provided suppressing fire from an exposed position, which 
allowed the Afghan National Police to evacuate the civilians to safety.
  As a result of the courageous actions taken by Technical Sergeant 
Grutter, lives were saved and the convoy continued its mission.
  I thank Technical Sergeant Grutter for his brave actions and honor 
his distinguished service and meritorious achievement in earning the 
Bronze Medal Star with Valor and the Purple Heart. The courage he 
demonstrated during his combat mission brings great honor to our 
country, the Air National Guard and the state of Rhode Island.
  Along with his fellow Guardsmen, I thank Technical Sergeant Grutter 
for his outstanding commitment to serving and protecting our country. 
We in Rhode Island are lucky to call him one of our own, and we are 
proud of him.

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