[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 105 (Tuesday, July 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO SSG SCOTT R. STUDENMUND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2014

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Green 
Beret Staff Sergeant Scott R. Studenmund of Pasadena, California, who 
died on June 9, 2014 in Gaza Valley, Zabul Province, Afghanistan during 
a combat mission.
  Born on June 26, 1989, Scott Richard Studenmund was fearless from 
birth and embraced life fully. Scott was known for his rambunctious 
spirit, good sense of humor, intelligence and humility. He attended 
Clairbourn School from nursery school until 6th grade, Flintridge 
Preparatory School for middle and high school, Occidental College and 
Pitzer College. In high school, Scott was an avid scholar, football 
star and a history aficionado. He was a National Merit Finalist, an 
All-Area and All-League Football player and an excellent sprinter. 
Interested in the military since a young child, Scott spent many days 
practicing his tactical maneuvers with family and friends while on 
vacation at Lake Arrowhead or the beach. He traveled to Thailand and 
Cambodia and performed community service as a part of the Rustic 
Pathways program with his fellow schoolmates. During his time at 
Flintridge Preparatory School, he made a tight-knit group of friends 
with whom he stayed in close contact after graduation. An intense 
competitor, Scott was also a true gentleman who would not participate 
in or abide hurtful comments against others. He was extremely close to 
his family and was protective and proud of his sister Connell; indeed 
his parents never recall the two siblings ever arguing.
  In 2009, Scott left college to join the U.S. Army with the goal of 
becoming a Green Beret. Twenty-five months later, Scott earned his 
Green Beret, having completed 11 different rigorous training programs, 
passing each one on the first try. At his Green Beret ceremony, Scott 
won the Leadership Award in the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course. 
He also received an Army Achievement Medal for performing ``with 
distinction'' in a training exercise, and earned an Expert Infantryman 
Badge, also known as ``The Mark of a Man,'' by completing a rigorous 
40-part competition with over 100 Green Berets. In 2013, Scott 
completed the infamous Combat Dive School, which is considered to be 
the hardest school in the U.S. Army. He and his teammate won a top team 
award in the rigorous Special Forces Level II Sniper Course. Scott rose 
to the rank of Staff Sergeant while working in the 1st battalion of the 
5th Special Forces Group, Bravo Company, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. 
Scott received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Valor Medal and the 
Meritorious Service Medal.
  Scott is survived by his parents, Arnold H. and Jaynie Studenmund, 
sister, Connell, and half brother, Brent. He will be buried at 
Arlington National Cemetery, next to his friend and fellow Green Beret. 
Scott will be near his grandfather, Jack R. Miller, who was a U.S. 
Senator and Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserve and his 
grandmother, Jerry Miller.
  Staff Sergeant Studenmund was an athlete, scholar and soldier, who 
loved his family, his job and his country. I ask all Members to join 
with me in remembering Staff Sergeant Scott Richard Studenmund, a Green 
Beret in the U.S. Army, a hero who died while achieving the highest 
honor of serving our country.

                          ____________________