[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 37 (Thursday, March 2, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER SERGEANT (SGT) 
                           ROBERT SHANE PUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Sergeant (SGT) Robert Shane Pugh who paid the ultimate sacrifice while 
defending our nation on March 3, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom 
III. SGT Pugh was a combat medic with the Mississippi Army National 
Guard's 155th Brigade Combat Team. He was mortally wounded when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Iskandariyah, 
Iraq also wounding Sergeant First Class Ellis Martin. SGT Pugh 
posthumously received the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration for 
valor in combat, as well as the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and 
Mississippi Medal of Valor.
  SGT Pugh's Silver Star citation states, ``Although in extreme pain, 
Sergeant Pugh directed treatment instructions to the members of his 
platoon for both himself and Sergeant First Class Martin. He remained 
calm and continued to give instructions until the medical evacuation 
helicopter arrived. Sergeant Pugh passed away on route to the hospital; 
however his courage and disregard for his own welfare resulted in 
saving the life of a fellow comrade who was severely wounded.''
  SGT Pugh was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, 
Mississippi Army National Guard, headquartered in McComb, Mississippi. 
He enlisted in the Army in 1999 because he wanted to be a combat medic. 
In the civilian world, SGT Pugh was a licensed paramedic and worked as 
a phlebotomist for United Blood Services in Meridian.
  SGT Pugh's mother, Wilma Allen, said her son was her pride and joy. 
``I am very proud of him. He was happy, outstanding, and outgoing. He 
would do anything for anybody,'' said his mother.
  In a fitting tribute to this brave and caring soldier, the National 
Guard Readiness Center in Morton has been named in his honor.
  SGT Pugh is survived by his parents, Glen and Wilma Pugh, his 
stepfather, Gary Allen, and his siblings Tiffany Johnson, April 
Pearson, Jennifer Reed, Brad Allen, and Dale Allen.

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