[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 159 (Friday, October 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1254-E1255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING HIGHLY DECORATED HISPANIC AMERICAN VETERAN SFC JOHN ``DOC'' 
                   ANTHONY ACEVEDO, U.S. ARMY (RET.)

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 2019

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize SFC John 
``Doc'' Anthony Acevedo, U.S. Army (Ret.), a highly decorated Hispanic 
American Veteran from Buffalo, NY. John Anthony Acevedo was born to 
Mary and Jorge Acevedo in 1969 and grew up on Swan Street in downtown 
Buffalo. His father was from Hormigueros, Puerto Rico, and his mother 
was a Buffalo native who grew up in Buffalo.
  John attended grammar school at St. Columba Catholic School, then 
Buffalo Public School No. 6 Academic Challenge Center, and Emerson 
Vocational High School in Buffalo. Following graduation, he worked as a 
security guard at the Larkin building. On March 7, 1989 John Acevedo 
made the decision to enlist into the Army as a medic. The basis for 
this decision was two-fold. He had a remarkable gift for putting others 
at ease, which he discovered during his time as an altar boy at St. 
Columba Catholic School. He felt that this would make him a great 
medic. Secondly, he was inspired by his family's rich history of 
military service. John's uncles Rafael Rodriguez and Augustine 
Olivencia served in the highly decorated 65th Infantry Regiment 
``Borinqueneers''. Rafael served in the Korean War and Augustine served 
during World War II. As an effort to give recognition to these 
trailblazers the recognition they deserve I cosponsored a bill in 2016 
to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the ``Borinqueneers''.

[[Page E1255]]

John's other uncle Joseph Pieracci also served in the Army during the 
Korean War. John's grandfather, Anthony Grasso, also served as a medic 
in WWII. John's cousin Wilmer Olivencia received a Purple Heart, which 
I had the honor of presenting him with in 2015 at the Grease Pole 
festival, for wounds sustained while serving in the U.S. Army during 
the Vietnam War, a war in which John's uncle, Tony Grasso, also served 
with the 1st Calvary. John's cousin Louis Rodriguez, Rafael's son, 
served in Vietnam and is currently retired from the U.S. Army and is 
now living outside of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. John's nephew Michael 
Kerr is currently a member of the Reserves after serving in the U.S. 
Air force.
  After joining the Army, John was assigned as a medic with the 299th 
Engineer Battalion upon completion of his basic training at Fort Knox 
Kentucky and his medical training in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, 
Texas. John Acevedo rose through the ranks and eventually became a 
Sergeant First Class and earned the nickname ``Doc'' because he oversaw 
120 other medics. Sergeant First Class John Acevedo served nearly 5\1/
2\ years overseas in a combat zone. He served 5 tours of duty in Egypt, 
Afghanistan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.
  During his lengthy military career, John served in the same Task 
Force as Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia, while in the 2nd 
Brigade Combat, 2nd Infantry Division. They were part of the Fall of 
Fallujah, a critical turning point in the war in Iraq. He also was 
selected by Command Sergeant Major of the 10th Mountain Division to be 
an escort for former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and his 
Commander picked him to escort Oliver North. John also escorted several 
entertainers such as those from World Wrestling Entertainment owned by 
Vincent McMahon.
  Today we recognize John Acevedo for his 26 years of military service 
earning him a total of 28 medals and ribbons including the Bronze Star, 
Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal 
(2nd Award), and the prestigious Combat Medical Badge. His highest 
award, the Bronze Star Medal, was for actions he took as a medic in 
Iraqi Freedom. While he was assigned as the Brigade Sergeants NCO they 
came under fire. When he heard a blast in the distance, he grabbed his 
gear and medic bag and ran toward the explosion. He simultaneously 
searched for casualties and participated in the counter attack. In 
doing so, he put his own life in jeopardy to prevent further 
casualties, while saving as many of his fellow soldiers as possible who 
were injured while fighting off the enemy. These awards embody the 
Staff Sergeant's unparalleled talent, unwavering courage, and 
insurmountable willpower in advancing American interests in places of 
violent conflict.
  After serving our country for over 26 years, Sergeant First Class 
John Acevedo officially retired from the Army on March 31, 2015. John's 
father once told him that when he was on the battlefield, he is an 
American, but he should never forget his roots as a Hispanic American. 
John returned to his family and friends in Buffalo and went on to 
further serve his community, this time much closer to home. He is 
currently employed on a nursing team at the VA Hospital in Buffalo. He 
is also very active with veteran organizations throughout our 
community. He is an Alumni of the Wounded Warrior Project. He is also a 
member of the Ft. Drum Retiree Council and a life member of the 
Association of the United States Army. John Anthony Acevedo has 4 
children John Jr., Jorge, Deborah and Ana Maria and two grandchildren 
Arayna and Lyric. Several of John's family members are currently 
serving, continuing his family's proud legacy of military service. 
John's daughter Deborah is joining the US Air Force and his nephew 
Michael Kerr served in the Air Force and is currently in the Reserves. 
John's cousin Pedro Pabon currently serves in the Army Reserves.
  Today we recognize John Acevedo, as a true patriot who dedicated his 
life to serving our country, serving our community. John is a great 
example of the dedication that Hispanic Americans have for their 
country and their community.

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