[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 203 (Wednesday, December 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1694-E1695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI MARINE CORPORAL (CPL) 
                        MICHAEL BRANDON PRESLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
Marine Corporal (Cpl) Michael Brandon Presley who paid the ultimate 
sacrifice while defending our nation on December 14, 2005, during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl Presley died at Landstuhl Regional Medical 
Center in Germany from wounds he sustained on December 12 from a 
suicide, vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, while conducting 
combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. Cpl Presley 
was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II 
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
  According to the Associated Press, Cpl Presley, a Batesville, 
Mississippi native, was a standout student at North Delta School. Cpl 
Presley was a lineman for the school's 2000 state football championship 
team when it won the Class 3A title. John Howell, North Delta School 
principal, said Cpl Presley kept in touch with his teachers while he 
was stationed overseas. ``The neat thing that made him stand out for 
those of us who taught him was the way he made a point to reconnect 
with us periodically,'' Mr. Howell said. ``Often when you teach, you 
have to guess at the work that you're doing. Brandon let us know that 
he appreciated us, and that made him stand out more than other students 
I have taught.''
  The official website of the U.S. Marine Corps included a detailed 
account of Cpl Presley's service and commitment to the Marine Corps. 
Cpl Presley joined the Marine Corps on September 22, 2003. He served 
with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan, and subsequently 
reported to the 2d Combat Engineer Battalion for duty as a motor 
transport operator in March 2005. Cpl Presley was a skilled operator 
remembered for his broad smile, love of live, and his devotion to duty. 
His accomplishments and warrior spirit will forever grace the passage 
spaces of 2d Marine Division while attached to 1st Battalion, Sixth 
Marines.

[[Page E1695]]

  Details of Cpl Presley's bravery were included on a memorial website. 
The author recounted the details of the day Cpl was mortally wounded. 
``Corporal Presley was the vehicle commander for the second Medium 
Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVA) in the convoy,'' the author wrote. 
``As the convoy passed a taxi that had pulled off to the right side of 
the route, the taxi pulled out and into the path of Cpl Presley's 
vehicle. When Corporal Presley observed this, he immediately started to 
initiate escalation of force procedures. Due to the fact that the 
vehicle was non-responsive, Cpl Presley drew his M16 A4 and was 
preparing to engage the lone occupant of the taxi. As he did this, the 
SVBIED initiated its device early, before it had actually impacted the 
MTVA. This action undoubtedly saved the life of the MTVA driver. Cpl 
Presley was wounded by shrapnel in the blast and later died from his 
wounds. Cpl Presley's quick actions saved not only his driver, but also 
the cargo that they were carrying, the Iraq ballots He valiantly put 
his fellow Marines and mission accomplishment ahead of his own 
safety.''
  A relative of Cpl Presley recounted the day of his memorial service. 
``There were two huge fire ladder trucks parked across from the funeral 
home. Their ladders were fully extended,'' the relative wrote. ``Draped 
between them was a huge American flag. As the procession made its way 
to the church from the funeral home, there were firefighters, local 
police, state police, sheriffs, active and retired military lining the 
street and all standing at attention and saluting as the process passed 
by. It was really amazing to witness.''
  Cpl Presley was laid to rest at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, 
Mississippi. Cpl Presley is survived by his mother Pam Cousar; his 
stepfather, John Cousar; his brother, Colin Hawkins; and his 
grandparents, Mary Sue Presley, Mary Frances Woods and Mitchell Woods.
  Cpl Presley served our nation with courage and bravery. His service 
and sacrifice to protect the freedoms we all enjoy will not be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________