[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAJOR RALPH GUERRERO, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sergeant 
Major Ralph Guerrero, Jr. who on June 24, 1974, enlisted in the United 
States Marines Corps and will officially retire today after 30 years of 
honorable and distinguished service. Sergeant Major Guerrero leaves the 
Marines Corps as one of the most respected and accomplished member of 
our armed forces.
  A native of San Fernando, California, Sergeant Major Guerrero was 
born on July 14th 1956, and graduated from San Fernando High School in 
June 1974. Sergeant Major Guerrero and his wife Silvia P. Gomez have a 
son, Ralph III, and a daughter, Chyenne. Sergeant Major Guerrero is the 
quintessential local success story.
  After he graduated from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA 
and completed Infantry Training School at Camp Pendleton, CA, Sergeant 
Major Guerrero embarked on a successful Marine Corps career. From his 
participation in the evacuation of South Vietnam and Cambodia; to his 
amphibious reconnaissance training; to his. assignment to Marine Corps 
Recruit Depot San Diego California, where he served as a Drill 
Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor and was 
meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant; Sergeant Major Guerrero has 
proven himself a critical team player.
  Sergeant Major Guerrero's leadership and expertise were vital to the 
Marine Corps during his deployment to El Salvador as an Advisor to a 
Battalion of Salvadorian Marines. During his subsequent deployments, 
including: Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation 
Sea Angel, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Noble Eagle and his visits 
to Marines in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan in support of Operation 
Enduring Freedom his contributions were invaluable. His exemplary 
leadership skills proved critical to the Marine Corps during his tour 
of duty at Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, where he 
served as the Command and the Military District of Washington Sergeant 
Major. During this tour, Sergeant Major Guerrero was a member of the 
FY99 E-8/E-9 selection board, Chairman Senior Enlisted Advisory 
Community for USO, a member of the Board of Director's for USO and Navy 
Marine Corps Relief Society, and a member of the Foreign Joint Services 
NonCommissioned Officer Associations.
  In July 1999, Sergeant Major Guerrero was assigned to a Major Marine 
Corps command, as the Sergeant Major for Marine Corps Air Station, 
Iwakuni Japan. In 2001, he was assigned as the Sergeant Major for the 
1st Marine Aircraft Wing. These important assignments were evidence of 
the great respect and trust he had earned.
  Sergeant Major Guerrero is deservedly highly decorated. He has earned 
the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Gold Stars in 
lieu of 3rd Award, the Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of 
2nd Award, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Action Ribbon 
with 4 gold stars in lieu of 5th Award, the Korean Defense Service 
Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal with Bronze 
Star in lieu of 2nd Award, the Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star 
in lieu of 2nd award, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 bronze 
stars in lieu of 4th award, the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal and various 
Unit Awards.
  Sergeant Major Guerrero has worked to raise the public's awareness of 
the many contributions the military makes to the local community. He 
has also committed himself to working with schools to help increase 
appreciation for our armed forces among school children.
  It is my distinct pleasure to ask my colleagues to join me in 
saluting Sergeant Major Guerrero for his distinguished 30 years of 
service to country, to congratulate him on his retirement and to wish 
him the very best in the years ahead.

                          ____________________