[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E655-E656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING HOSPITAL CORPSMAN 1ST CLASS (FMF) JOSEPH SANTOS ON BEING 
         NAMED U.S. PACIFIC FLEET'S 2012 SEA SAILOR OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2013

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate 
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF) Joseph Santos on being named U.S. 
Pacific Fleet's 2012 Sea Sailor of the Year.
   Petty Officer Santos was nominated by his commander, and was chosen 
from a pool of 13,000 other sailors in the Pacific Fleet. He will be 
meritoriously promoted to the rank of chief petty officer.
   Petty Officer Santos, a native to Saipan and youngest of nine 
children, moved to Dededo, Guam, with his family when he was just an 
infant. In 1999, after graduating from John F. Kennedy High School, he 
joined the United States Navy. Upon completion of basic training, he 
reported to Naval Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Illinois, where 
he graduated with distinction. He also trained at Field Medical Service 
School (FMSS) at Camp Pendleton, California.
   Petty Officer Santos craved adventure. He wanted to help people and 
save lives, and he knew the job of a Navy hospital corpsman would help 
him fulfill these goals.
   He has served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. In 2004, 
while deployed in Fallujah, he earned a Purple Heart. On September 6, 
2004, a large convoy in Fallujah was hit by a vehicle-borne improvised 
explosive device and there was a mass casualty.

[[Page E656]]

He was the only corpsman on the scene for the first ten minutes of the 
attack. Although he was able to help many Marines, there were many 
others that lost their lives that day.
   Furthermore, when several Marines in his unit showed signs of 
suicidal thoughts, he worked to help them get through it and allowed 
them to bunk above him during their last days in Afghanistan to ensure 
their return home was as peaceful as possible. He remains committed to 
his Marines and makes himself available around-the-clock to discuss 
these issues.
   Petty Officer Santos has received numerous awards and recognition 
for his exemplary service, including the Purple Heart, Navy 
Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, 
and a Combat Action Ribbon.
   He is married to Easton Santos; together they have a 10-year-old 
daughter, Keana, and are currently expecting another child.
   I congratulate Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF) Joseph Santos on 
being named U.S. Pacific Fleet's 2012 Sailor of the Year. I join the 
people of Guam in thanking him for his bravery and selfless service to 
our nation, and for making our island proud.

                          ____________________