[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15973-15974]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF SSG RAYVON BATTLE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 29, 2012

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise today to 
honor the life of Staff Sergeant Rayvon Battle, Jr. of the United 
States Army. Staff Sergeant Battle lost his life in Kandahar Province, 
Afghanistan on November 13, 2012, while trying to stop an explosion.
  Staff Sergeant Battle was a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, 
which is in my Congressional District. In 2005, he graduated from 
Northern Nash High School and went on to enlist in the Army where he 
became a squad leader in the 38th Engineer Company, 4th Stryker Brigade 
Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
  Staff Sergeant Battle was a source of great pride in his hometown 
because he epitomized what it meant to serve with honor and 
distinction. This was demonstrated in the various awards and 
decorations Staff Sergeant Battle received during his career in the 
Army. Among them include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation 
Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 
Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service 
Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the NATO Medal. 
In only 25 short years, Staff Sergeant Battle accomplished more than 
most people do in a full lifetime.

[[Page 15974]]

  Unfortunately, Staff Sergeant Battle perished while serving his 
country--prematurely ending a promising life and career. He is survived 
by his wife, Dorris Battle; his father, Rayvon Battle, Sr.; and his 
grandmother, Dora Harris.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in offering heartfelt 
condolences to Staff Sergeant Battle's family, and sincere appreciation 
for his selfless efforts in defense of our great nation. I pray that 
his life remains a source of inspiration to the Rocky Mount community 
and Americans nationwide. We are forever indebted to his family for the 
ultimate sacrifice he paid on our behalf.

                          ____________________