[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 52 (Friday, March 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CAPTAIN ROBERTO CHITO SAMANIEGO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERONICA ESCOBAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 21, 2025

  Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to the life and 
legacy of U.S. Army Captain Roberto ``Chito'' Samaniego, the first KIA 
servicemember from El Paso in the Vietnam war.
  Captain Samaniego was an El Paso native and Jefferson High School 
alumni, who served his country as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam 
war. He was assigned to the 52nd Aviation Battalion, 119th Company.
  On June 19, 1965, Captain Samaniego was a copilot on one of the two 
UH-IB Helicopters conducting supply transports from Kon Tum to Dak Sut, 
Vietnam. When entering Dak Sut Valley, both air crews were hit by enemy 
fire 300 feet above land and plummeted to ground exploding on impact 
with no surviving crew members. Mr. Speaker, 209 El Pasoan service 
members would later lose their lives in the Vietnam conflict.
  I recognize and express my eternal gratitude for veterans like 
Captain Samaniego; for the courage, bravery, and sacrifice to fight for 
our country. I also commemorate the families of service members, who 
have fought and continued to fight, as their sacrifices are beyond 
measure.
  On March 29, 2025, we will honor the lives of the Vietnam war heroes 
in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of National Vietnam War 
Veterans Day.

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