[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 28065-28066]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PETTY OFFICER DANNY PHILLIP DIETZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2007

  Mr. TANCREDO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrifice of a 
fallen hero and Navy SEAL from my district, Petty Officer Danny Phillip 
Dietz of Littleton, Colorado. Petty Officer Dietz was killed 2 years 
ago during combat operations in Afghanistan.
   On June 27, 2005, Petty Officer Dietz's four-man SEAL team was 
inserted into Afghanistan's remote Hindu Kush Mountains. His comrades 
included Petty Officer Matthew Gene Axelson of Cupertino, California, 
Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell of Huntsville, Texas, and Lieutenant 
Michael Murphy of Patchogue, New York. In the heavy fighting that 
followed the four men, experts not only in warfare but friends and 
members of a close-knit team, all faced the enemy opposition with 
inspiring valor and determination. Together they faced incredible odds, 
determined not only to do their duty but to give all that they had, 
each in the defense of the others. Ultimately overwhelmed, only Petty 
Officer Luttrell survived, and then with grievous wounds, to be rescued 
after several days of escape and evasion during which he continued to 
battle the enemy.
   As Navy SEALs these four men exemplify the very best of America's 
young men and women, many of whom continue the battle on foreign shores 
or serve at home to protect our

[[Page 28066]]

homeland. As valiant warriors they serve to inspire us in understanding 
not only the importance of Duty, Honor, Country, but also the 
importance of the unity of teamwork against all odds, regardless of our 
differences or where we are from.
   Danny Dietz is not forgotten in his home town of Littleton, 
Colorado. This year on Independence Day, a large bronze statue was 
unveiled in Littleton's Berry Park to ensure that future generations 
will never forget his uncommon valor and selfless sacrifice. The 
citation awarding him the Navy Cross notes: ``Demonstrating exceptional 
resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation and his 
responsibility to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz fought valiantly 
against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy 
force. Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, Petty Officer 
Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he bravely 
fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing 
gunfight, until he was mortally wounded.''
   Second only to the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross is the Navy's 
highest award for military heroism. Since it was established in World 
War I it has only been awarded 6,923 times to members of the Armed 
Services and to only 4,544 members of the U.S. Navy. To date, in the 
Global War on Terrorism, 17 Marines and 6 members of the Navy have 
received the Navy Cross. Three of those Navy awards went to Petty 
Officers Dietz, Axelson, and Luttrell.
   In addition to the 3 Navy Crosses and 4 Purple Hearts awarded to the 
4 men in a single action, Lieutenant Murphy was also posthumously 
awarded the Medal of Honor. I hope that all Americans will take the 
time to reflect on the sacrifices of these brave men--and indeed all of 
those serving our Country around the world.

                          ____________________