[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 146 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1726-E1727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HISTORICAL RECORD OF U.S. ARMY RESERVE FACILITY IN AMERICAN SAMOA
______
HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA
of american samoa
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for
historical purposes, information about the U.S. Army Reserve Facility
in American Samoa.
[Press Release, July 20, 2000]
U.S. Army Reserve Gets Approval to Construct $20 Million Facility at
Tafuna Airport
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) is ready to release to the
American Samoa Government 6.5 acres of land at the Tafuna
Airport so that the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) can begin
construction of its new $20 million training facility.
There was considerable amount of time spent on discussions
between my office, the FAA and the USAR to work out this
deal, and I am just glad that we have resolved it,
Faleomavaega said. With this agreement from the FAA, the ASG
and USAR can now begin the process to secure the property and
enter into detailed lease negotiations.
As it now stands, the FAA has agreed to release the land
from Federal obligation and redesignate the property for non-
aeronautical purposes. The FAA has also agreed to extend a
55-year lease to USAR. For its part, USAR has agreed to pay
fair-market value for the property. Its a win-win for
everybody, Faleomavaega said. Prior to this agreement, the
airport stood to lose Federal funding if ASG leased the site
to USAR at a nominal lease rate. Now that the military has
agreed to pay fair-market value, the airport will retain its
right to Federal funding and will still receive fair-market
rates from USAR. In turn, the military will be able to
construct its $20 million facility on a site that is best-
suited to meet the training needs of our troops.
All that's left is for ASG to submit a formal request to
the FAA Airports Division, Western-Pacific Region to release
the said property, Faleomavaega said. In fact, Mr. Herman C.
Bliss, Manager of the FAA Western Division has already been
notified to expedite the handling of this FAA request and to
coordinate with ASG the preparation and submission of the
release. Beyond the details of the lease agreement,
Faleomavaega also noted Senator Inouyes involvement in
securing funds for construction of the new military facility
in American Samoa. Senator Inouye and I have worked on this
project for the past five years, Faleomavaega said. I am
confident this facility will be both a boon to our economy
and a much-needed and welcome operation.
I thank Senator Inouye for his commitment and assistance
and I also thank Governor Tauese and his staff for their
support in getting this project underway, Faleomavaega said.
I think it's fair to say that we're all looking forward to
groundbreaking and to renewed and strengthened relations with
the United States Army Reserve.
____
[Press Release, Feb. 8, 2006]
Faleomavaega Recommends that New Army Reserve Center be Name in Honor
of the Late SFC Konelio Pele
In response to recent inquiries from the press and public,
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on January 25,
2006 and also on April 7, 2004 he wrote a letter to Brigadier
General John Ma, Commanding General, 9th Regional Readiness
Command, in Hawaii recommending that the newly built $20
million U.S. Army Reserve Center in Tafuna, American Samoa be
named in honor of the late Sergeant First Class (SFC) Konelio
Pele. I am pleased that in the January 30, 2006 issue of
Samoa News, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Mapu Jamias
announced on behalf of our local Veterans of Foreign Wars
that they were also recommending that the new Army Reserve
Center be named in honor of SFC Konelio Pele. I was unaware
that our veterans made the same recommendation but I am
pleased by this outcome, Congressman Faleomavaega said.
SFC Konelio Pele was assigned to the Alpha Company, 3rd
Brigade, 25th Infantry Division based in Hawaii and was
deployed in Vietnam under the command of Major General
Carpenter. On July 25, 1966, SFC Konelio Pele was awarded the
Silver Star, the third highest medal for valor, for his
gallant service in the field of battle during the Vietnam
War. SFC Pele served in three wars and was awarded a Bronze
medal, two Purple Hearts, and three Combat Infantryman
Badges.
On July 25, 1966, the Department of the Army issued General
Orders: Number 4997 awarding SFC Konelio Pele the Silver Star
for his actions on May 29, 1966. The citation states:
Sergeant First Class Pele distinguished himself on 29 May
1966 while serving as a platoon sergeant securing a landing
zone in the Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam. When his
platoon moved out from the landing zone to render assistance
to other elements of the company that were pinned down by a
large Viet Cong force, Sergeant First Class Pele repeatedly
exposed himself to the intense hostile fire as he maneuvered
his platoon. During the course of action, he singlehandedly
charged a Viet Cong machine gun emplacement, killed two of
the crew members with his rifle, and caused the remaining
insurgents to flee. After he covered the evacuation of the
dead and wounded, he carried the hostile machine gun and
ammunition through the bullet swept area to friendly
positions. When he returned to the landing zone, he realized
that a wounded member of his platoon had been left behind.
Sergeant First Class Pele, with complete disregard for his
safety, moved several hundred meters across open terrain,
found his fallen comrade, and carried him back to be
evacuated. Through his heroic efforts, the Viet Cong were
defeated in that area. Sergeant First Class Pele's
extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically
superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflects great credit
upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
SFC Pele's action is a pure example of personal courage.
His unit and the U.S. Army recognized his selfless actions
and for this reason he was awarded the Silver Star. It is my
understanding that SFC Pele was also recommended for the
Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions but there
were problems in processing the paperwork
[[Page E1727]]
through the higher command and his recommendation never made
it through. I feel that SFC Pele was not awarded the full
recognition that he deserved, Congressman Faleomavaega said.
In fact, SFC Pele's combat record reminds me of some 52
recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross Award that were
presented to the Japanese-American soldiers who fought in
Europe during World War II. There was only one Medal of Honor
awarded to the brave Japanese-American soldiers who
sacrificed so much during World War II, despite the
tremendous amount of bigotry and racism brought against these
Japanese-American Citizens.
As I recall, in 1996, Senator Daniel Akaka authored a
provision in the Defense Authorization Act mandating a review
of the service records of the 52 recipients who received the
Distinguished Service Cross. As a result, 19 additional
Medals of Honor were awarded to our Japanese-American
veterans including Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.
I believe that SFC Peles record is very similar to that of
our Japanese-American veterans and I feel that it is only
appropriate to request the Department of Defense to review
his actions during the Vietnam War and it is my intention to
consult closely with Senator Daniel Akaka on this matter. We
will explore all options on how best to reexamine SFC Peles
war record, and see if he should be awarded the Congressional
Medal of Honor.
At the same time, I am also recommending that our new Army
Reserve Center be named in honor of SFC Pele. SFC Pele lived
his life to the fullest and represented all seven values of
the United States Army including loyalty, duty, respect,
selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. For
his commitment to God and country, for his example to you and
me, I am hopeful that the U.S. Army will recognize his
distinguished service and name the new Army Reserve Center in
his honor, Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.
____
[Press Release, June 30, 2006]
New U.S. Army Reserve Center in American Samoa Will be Named in Honor
of Samoan Soldiers
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the new U.S.
Army Reserve Center in American Samoa will be named in honor
of Sergeant First Class Konelio Pele and Staff Sergeant Frank
F. Tiai.
The U.S. Army Reserve Center will be named in honor of the
late SFC Konelio Pele who served in three major wars and was
awarded the Silver Star, the third highest medal for valor
during the Vietnam War. SFC Pele is also a recipient of the
Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and three Combat Infantryman
Badges.
The Maintenance Storage Facility of the Army Reserve Center
will be named in honor of the late SSG Frank Tiai, a member
of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, who was killed in
July 2005 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Tiai
was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart
medals.
Congressman Faleomavaega and the American Samoa Veterans of
Foreign Wars both recommended to the U.S. Army that the newly
built Army Reserve Center be named after Sergeant First Class
Konelio Pele.
I am pleased the U.S. Army accepted our recommendation to
name the Army Reserve Center after SFC Konelio Pele in
recognition of his distinguished service, said Congressman
Faleomavaega. To my knowledge, SFC Peles Silver Star is the
highest award received by any Samoan for courageous valor in
the field of battle.
I am also pleased the U.S. Army decided to name the
Maintenance Storage Facility after SSG Frank Tiai who as I
recall, was the first local reservist from American Samoa to
die in the war in Iraq.
Both war heroes have served our country with utmost
dedication and honor. They are a great example of the
determination and selfless service of our many Samoan sons
and daughters who have served or are currently serving in the
military today.
The dedication ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, July
15, 2006 at the new Tafuna facility. Congressman Faleomavaega
and Governor Togiola are both invited to the ceremonies. At
this moment, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the
U.S. Army for its commitment to American Samoa. Most of all,
I want to thank all Samoans in the military and their
families for their sacrifices and service to our country,
concluded Faleomavaega.
____________________