[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27503]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          A TRIBUTE TO SGT. 1ST CLASS JAMES ``JIM'' S. OCHSNER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sgt. 1st 
Class James ``Jim'' S. Ochsner of Hope Mills, North Carolina, for 
serving his country valiantly with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special 
Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC in Operation Enduring 
Freedom. On November 15, 2005, Sgt. 1st Class Ochsner sacrificed his 
life when an improvised explosive device was detonated while traveling 
near Lawara, Afghanistan. He was courageously serving his fourth tour 
of duty in Afghanistan, and our prayers and heartfelt thanks go to his 
family in this time of grief.
  At an early age, Jim had a desire to serve in the military. His 
father was a Green Beret who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Jim 
was proud of his father's service and commitment and strived to be just 
like him. In 1987, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as an artilleryman and 
served three years in Bamberg Germany with the 2nd Battalion 14th Field 
Artillery. Jim later served in the 82nd Airborne and completed a tour 
in South Korea before serving as a Special Forces Soldier. In 2004, he 
graduated from the Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course 
and served as an intelligence specialist with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd 
Special Forces Group.
  Jim is a highly decorated soldier, receiving the Bronze Star Medal 
with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal for valor, the Army 
Commendation Medal for service, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good 
Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. In addition, he 
received the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism 
Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the NCO Professional 
Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service 
Ribbon, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait 
Liberation Medal (Kuwait), the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert 
Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the 
Driver and Mechanic Badges, and the Special Forces Tab.
  Jim loved his family, and he is survived by his wife Ann, son 
Nicholas, and daughter Megan, who heard from him often during his 
deployments. He is also survived by his parents, Robert and Sandra, of 
Beach Park, Illinois, and his brother MSG Robert Ochsner II.
  As a member of the U.S. Army, Jim dedicated his career to defending 
the values this nation holds dear. By risking his life to ensure the 
safety of others, John made the ultimate sacrifice. His valiant actions 
and steadfast service remind us of the gratitude we feel toward him and 
all the other servicemen and women who have lost their lives serving as 
guardians of this great country. John was indeed a man of courage and 
integrity.
  Mr. Speaker, may the memory of Sgt. 1st Class James ``Jim'' Ochsner 
live on in our hearts, and may God's strength and peace be with his 
family.

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