[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                        Staff Sergeant Lex Lewis

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to SSG Lex Lewis and his heroic service to our country. As a 
cavalry scout in the B Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th 
Infantry Division, of Fort Carson, CO, Staff Sergeant Lewis was serving 
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On July 15, 2011, he died of 
injuries sustained when his dismounted patrol received small arms fire 
in Farah Province, Afghanistan.
  A graduate of Rapid City Central High School, Staff Sergeant Lewis 
began his military career in the Navy, where he was stationed in Japan. 
He joined the Army in 1999 and was on his third deployment, having 
previously served two tours in Iraq. From 2006-2007 Staff Sergeant 
Lewis served in Rapid City as a member of the South Dakota Army 
National Guard. During his military career, his awards and decorations 
included two Army Commendation Medals and five Army Achievement Medals. 
He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and awarded 
a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart.
  Staff Sergeant Lewis will be remembered as a dedicated soldier and a 
good friend. He demonstrated professionalism in his job and was known 
as a reliable man who you could count on. Former colleague Sgt. Dwayne 
Graves recalls, ``He was just a real likeable guy. He'd do anything for 
you. You definitely want him watching your back.'' As a young man, 
Staff Sergeant Lewis knew he wanted to serve his country. His mother 
remembers his childhood spent playing soldier. He will be deeply missed 
by those who survive him: his wife Molly, step-daughter Ariel, 
stepbrother Frank, half-sister, Lacy, and his mother, Betty.
  Staff Sergeant Lewis gave his all for his soldiers and his country. 
Our Nation owes him a debt of gratitude, and the best way to honor his 
life is to emulate his commitment to our country. Mr. President, I join 
with all South Dakotans in expressing my deepest sympathy to the family 
and friends of SSG Lex Lewis. He will be missed, but his service to our 
Nation will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________