[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT FIRST CLASS JAVIER J. GUTIERREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 10, 2020

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of United 
States Army Sergeant First Class Javier J. Gutierrez who died on 
February 8, 2020, in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, in support of 
Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Sergeant First Class Gutierrez is from my 
hometown of San Antonio, Texas and is survived by his wife Gabriela 
Gutierrez, four children, and parents Sylvia and Javier Gutierrez. I am 
deeply saddened by his passing but also confident that his memory will 
live on through his many loved ones and our entire community.
  Javier Jaguar Gutierrez was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on 
August 12, 1991. At an early age he demonstrated an interest in joining 
the military and following in his father's footsteps. His father, 
Javier S. Gutierrez, served in the United States Marine Corps as an 
enlisted combat engineer during the Gulf War. His great-grandfather, 
Thomas Ortiz, served in the Army Air Forces as a bombardier during 
World War II. He was a prisoner of war, taken by the Nazis after his 
plane was shot down.
  Shortly after graduating from Luther Burbank High School in 2009, 
Gutierrez enlisted in the United States Army, where he was stationed at 
the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, 
North Carolina. He later went on to attend Special Forces assessment 
and selection, graduating in 2015 as a Communications Sergeant and 
assignment at the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Airborne Group at 
Eglin Air Force Base of Florida.
  Sergeant First Class Gutierrez was a person of high quality whose 
humility was only matched by his commitment to service. During his 11 
years of remarkable service, he received several awards, which included 
the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Good Conduct 
Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War 
on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional 
Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Expert Infantry and 
Parachutist Badges; and the Special Forces Tab. Sergeant First Class 
Gutierrez was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple 
Heart, and promoted to the rank of Sergeant 1st Class.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the life and service of a 
person who dedicated themselves to family and country above all else. 
The entire San Antonio community mourns the loss of an American hero. 
We will be forever indebted to this true patriot whose sacrifice cannot 
be measured. I thank Sergeant First Class Gutierrez for his service, 
his bravery, and for his unending commitment to our great country.

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