[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E34]
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, January 8, 2015

  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, 2014, 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 the 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. Staff Sergeant Ammerman is survived by his wife, Emily 
Ammerman, his aunt and uncle, Dave and Dorothy Francis, and brothers, 
Kevin and Anthony Ammerman. 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.

                          ____________________