[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 73 (Friday, April 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN SOLDIER ARMY CAPTAIN (CPT) RALPH JOHN 
                              HARTING III

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 28, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
fallen soldier Army Captain (CPT) Ralph John Harting III, who paid the 
ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 29, 2005, during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. CPT Harting was killed when a vehicle-borne 
improvised explosive device was detonated by a suicide bomber as he was 
conducting a traffic-control-point inspection in Diyarah, Iraq. Also 
killed was Captain Stephen W. Frank.
  CPT Harting and CPT Stephen W. Frank were among an estimated 50 
people who died that day in bombings carried out by insurgents trying 
to disrupt the newly formed Iraqi government. CPT Harting was assigned 
to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, 
California, which was attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) 
from Mississippi.
  CPT Harting was born in Pontiac, Michigan and raised in Union Lake. 
Jay, as he was known to family and friends, applied to all four service 
academies and was accepted at each one. He enrolled at the U.S. 
Military Academy in West Point, New York. CPT Harting graduated with a 
mechanical engineering degree in 1998. CPT Harting and CPT Frank were 
classmates in college as well as Michigan natives.
  At the time of his death, CPT Harting was survived by his wife, 
Jennifer, a 2-year-old daughter, a 1-year-old son, and an infant son 
who was born shortly after his death.
  When the Frank family learned of the death of their son and CPT 
Harting, they invited the Harting family over to share stories.
  ``We talked about how we wished it was us to go first,'' Sue Frank 
told the Detroit Free Press. ``We were glad that the boys were not 
alone when they died. It was a comforting conversation, and we had an 
immediate bonding over the most tragic thing that could happen in your 
life. It's good to know that the Hartings are only two miles away.''
  CPT Harting and CPT Frank are both buried at the West Point Cemetery 
which is on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New 
York.
  CPT Harting and CPT Frank will always be remembered for their 
devotion to our nation and for paying the ultimate sacrifice to protect 
America.

                          ____________________