[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 75 (Thursday, May 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE SERVICE OF GUNNY SERGEANT GEORGE A. CRISWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2016

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and 
career of Gunny Sergeant George A. Criswell as he retires from the U.S. 
Marine Corps (USMC). Gunny Sergeant Criswell served in the USMC for 20 
years and deserves to be commended for his outstanding service and 
dedication to our country.
  Gunny Sergeant Criswell was born in York, Pennsylvania on March 18, 
1972. From a young age he embodied the traits of a Marine; he is 
selfless, courageous, intelligent, loyal, and enthusiastic. It is no 
coincidence that Gunny Sergeant Criswell would dedicate his life to 
serving our country and become a heroic leader to our nation.
  During his most recent overseas deployment from November 10, 2011 
through October 31, 2012, he served as the Staff Non-Commissioned-
Officer-in Charge of CJ3 Borders Division, Combat Joint Task Force and 
Regional Command--East. While he was deployed, Gunny Sergeant Criswell 
was in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom XIII in Bagram Air 
Field, Afghanistan as well as other locations throughout Afghanistan. 
The mission of Operation Enduring Freedom XIII was to facilitate 
coordination of near-border combat operations and emergency de-
escalation of fires between Coalition Forces, Afghan National Security 
Forces, and the Pakistani Military.
  While stationed in the Bagram Airfield, Gunny Sergeant Criswell 
witnessed a situation in which 2000 local Afghans attempted to breech 
an entry control point. When Sergeant Gunny Criswell returned to the 
United States, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his valiant 
service where he was subject to over 45 indirect fire attacks.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives 
to join me in honoring the career and noble service of Gunny Sergeant 
George A. Criswell. It is with great pride that we thank him for his 
genuine selflessness and service to our country.

                          ____________________