[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 87 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN SOLDIER MARINE CORPORAL (CPL) WILLIAM 
                           JUSTIN LEE COOPER

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
fallen soldier Marine Corporal William Justin Lee Cooper who paid the 
ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on May 19, 2008, during 
Operation Enduring Freedom. Cpl Cooper was killed in combat near 
Garmsir, Afghanistan.
  Cpl Cooper was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. According to 40 Days 
of Honor, Cpl Cooper's skill as a marksman earned him a position on a 
sniper team. It was in fulfillment of his duties as a sniper that he 
was killed. During his military service, Cpl Cooper was awarded the 
Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, National 
Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and two Sea 
Service Deployment Ribbons.
  After graduating from Europa High School in 2004, Cpl Cooper briefly 
attended Holmes Community College. It was Christmas Eve of 2004 when 
Cpl Cooper told his father he was joining the Marine Corps. His father 
told the Associated Press, ``I remember telling him that he needed to 
have a lot of thought before doing this. He felt his country needed him 
at the time more than he needed school.'' He also said of his son, ``He 
had more friends than anyone I know. He was daddy's hero; now he's 
everyone's hero.''
  Cpl Cooper's friend, Heather Burchfield, told the Associated Press, 
``Coop was that fun-loving, crazy guy everyone liked. He's the one you 
always wanted on your side because he is always going to take up for 
you. Even in high school, he had a soldier's heart. He was a very loyal 
friend.''
  Cpl Cooper is survived by his parents, Alan Cooper and Debra Cooper.
  The sacrifice of this brave soldier will always be remembered.

                          ____________________