[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1218-E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE DEDICATED SERVICE AND SELFLESS SACRIFICE OF TECHNICAL 
                    SERGEANT TIMOTHY A. OFFICER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with both profound sadness 
and deep gratitude that I rise to pay tribute to a fallen decorated 
American hero. On Monday, August 3, 2015, Technical Sergeant Timothy A. 
Officer, Jr., of the 24th Special Operations Wing, located in Florida's 
First Congressional District, tragically lost his life during a 
military freefall training accident. TSgt Officer was 32 years old, but 
lived a lifetime marked by and full of service.
  Timothy was born to Timothy and Linda Officer on August 8, 1982 in 
Huntington, West Virginia. After graduating high school, he followed in 
his family's footsteps of service and joined the Air Force in 2001. 
Upon becoming a Tactical Air Control Party Journeyman and ultimately a 
Joint Terminal Attack Controller, TSgt Officer earned his stripes as 
one of our Nation's most elite, both in training and in the ultimate 
crucible of combat. With multiple deployments around the globe and 
specifically in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING 
FREEDOM, TSgt Officer's leadership and devotion to duty served his 
fellow airmen and our Nation well over his prestigious fourteen-year 
career.
   Among his many awards and accolades are two Bronze Stars, one with 
Valor Device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force 
Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf 
clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, 
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness 
Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters, 
National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one oak 
leaf cluster, Iraq Campaign Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Global War 
on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, among many others.
   One fateful night in Iraq, on March 31, 2003, while serving as a 
Tactical Air Command and Control Journeyman in support of the 1st 
Armored Division, TSgt Officer and his unit were engaged by enemy 
mortar, artillery, and direct fire. After an artillery shell exploded 
near his vehicle, then Airman Officer engaged the enemy, killing two, 
while coordinating close air support. When his crew ran out of 
ammunition, the citation for his Bronze Star with Valor reads, ``He 
voluntarily dismounted his vehicle, ran across the battlefield through 
a hail of small arms fire to another vehicle, and returned with enough 
ammunition for his entire crew.'' Then Airman Officer assisted in the 
delivery of air support, resulting in 55 enemy killed. As the citation 
concludes, ``His tremendous bravery under constant enemy fire 
undoubtedly saved his fellow crewmembers along with countless members 
of task force 2-70, and directly aided in the defeat of the enemy.''
   Mr. Speaker, this is the type of man we lost on August 3, 2015. 
Described as honest and loyal, he truly was a significant role model 
for those who knew him, not just by his words but by his actions. 
Adding more weight to our hearts, TSgt Officer is the second son and 
brother his family lays to rest upon the altar of freedom. His younger 
brother, Army Sergeant Justin Officer, tragically fell on the 
battlefield of Afghanistan while serving with the 101st Airborne on 
September 29, 2010. There are no words I, this body of Congress, or the 
Nation can say that might assuage the bereavement of the Officer 
family, as they endure the unendurable yet again. All I can say is on 
behalf of a humble and grateful Nation, we thank them for the love, 
counsel, guidance, and support given to Timothy and Justin, which 
helped make them the heroes they became. Their lives stand as a 
testament that freedom is not free, and their legacies will echo in 
time as examples of the ultimate sacrifice for all free people. My 
wife, Vicki, joins me in praying that God is with Timothy's parents, 
Timothy and Linda; his sister Kylea; and all of his family and friends 
during this time of great mourning, and may God continue to bless the 
United States of America.

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