[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18359]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


               IN REMEMBRANCE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY VETERAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2007

  Ms. WILSON of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, on June 17, 2007, our nation 
lost a wonderful man and veteran: Agapito ``Gap'' Encinias Silva, from 
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  Gap was a man of extraordinary character. A World War II veteran, Gap 
was a member of the distinguished 200th Coastal Artillery, a unit from 
the New Mexico Army National Guard. Gap found himself stationed at Fort 
Stotsenberg on Clark Field in the Philippines when World War II broke 
out.
  Along with his fellow soldiers, Gap became one of the ``Battling 
Bastards of Bataan'' who held out on the peninsula until they had 
nothing more to fight with. He survived the infamous Bataan Death March 
and was interned by the Japanese as a POW for 3\1/2\ years. For his 
service, Gap Silva earned the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts, 
along with numerous other decorations. Gap's courage during those 
difficult years still stands as a testament to the strength and the 
resilience of the human spirit.
  When he came back home, Gap continued to be active within the veteran 
community, choosing to be involved with organizations such as the 
Bataan Veterans organization, the American Ex-POWS, the Disabled 
American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion 
and the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. Gap selflessly 
gave of himself to other veterans to help them with their needs, and to 
make a difference in their lives. Gap was indeed a leader for his 
fellow New Mexican veterans. He will be greatly missed.
  I first met Gap through his son, whom I worked with in State 
government. I got to know him even better while working on veterans 
issues as a Member of Congress. There are a handful of people who 
really stand out and make an impression on you during the course of 
one's work. Gap was one of those. He brought dignity and grace to his 
community service.
  Gap is survived by his wife, Socorro, and their seven children, Fred, 
Patricia, Michael, Agapito Jr., Maurice, Jerome and Erlinda Silva. Gap 
is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Reina Silva, Thomas Silva, 
Theresa Utash, Phillip Silva, Emma Gonzales, Danielle Gonzales, James 
Gonzales, Amanda Silva, Melanie Silva, Rachel Silva, and Emily Silva. 
Gap also had several great grandchildren, to help carry on his family 
legacy: Nyssa, Gianna, Jayden, Jude and Sophia. In addition, Gap is 
survived by his sister Jennie Noriega and by many nieces and nephews.
  Madam Speaker, please join with me in paying tribute to Agapito 
``Gap'' Encinias Silva; an unforgettable American hero.

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