[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE COURAGEOUS SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF STAFF SERGEANT MATTHEW 
                              R. AMMERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute of a 
true American hero, Staff Sergeant Matthew R. Ammerman. Tragically, on 
December 3, Sergeant Ammerman was killed when his unit came under fire 
in the Zabul province of Afghanistan. I, along with people from across 
the United States, stand in eternal gratitude for the dedication, 
service and sacrifice of this young man.
  A native of Noblesville, Indiana, Ammerman joined the Army in July 
2004. He was deployed in 2006 to Iraq, where he served for 14 months. 
In 2009, he served as an assistant gunner, fire team leader and squad 
leader in Afghanistan. In 2012, he volunteered for the Special Forces 
and graduated in 2013 as a Special Forces communications sergeant. 
Sergeant Ammerman again answered the call of duty in late 2014 in 
support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  His many awards are a testament to the exceptional character of this 
incredibly talented and immensely brave young man. His accomplishments 
include the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the 
Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal 
with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Non-
Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service 
Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and NATO Medal. He also received 
the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, 
the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Driver and 
Mechanic Badge.
  Staff Sergeant Matthew Ammerman will forever be remembered as a man 
willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to defend the freedoms that we so 
cherish. However, I know his wife, Emily, and his mother, Susan, will 
always remember him as a loving husband, and a courageous son. I join 
all Americans in praying for their comfort in this time of grief and 
the safe return of all those continuing to protect the United States 
abroad.

                          ____________________