[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5704]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING PFC IGNACIO SERVIN OF ARIZONA

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2015

  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Private First Class 
Ignacio Servin. On September 23, 1944, the 321st RCT, 81st Infantry 
Division landed on Umurbrogol Mountain, also known as ``Bloody Nose 
Ridge'', in Peleliu to relieve the 1st Marines who suffered nearly 50% 
casualties during the first week of fighting. Their assignment was to 
decimate the Japanese resistance and capture a strategic airstrip on 
the island.
  Marines discovered an ammunition storage cave on Bloody Nose Ridge, 
but a barrage of artillery and naval gunfire failed to neutralize the 
cave. Company ``A'' of the 154th Engineer Combat Battalion was 
dispatched. Commanding Officers 1st Lt. Schauer and 1st Lt. Werdine 
requested volunteers to crawl to the mouth of the cave, nearly 500 feet 
with 24 pounds of TNT and a Browning automatic .30 caliber rifle to 
destroy the stockpile.
  PFC Ignacio Servin of Arizona and Charles Samario, (deceased) 
accepted the challenge. PFC Servin stated he did not allow time to 
think of the risk or danger, but thought, ``If I die, it will be for 
the greatest country in the world.'' Both soldiers survived violent 
explosions, leveled trees, and flying rocks. PFC Servin states that 
only ``by the Grace of God we were not killed by the explosion or enemy 
gunfire making it safely back up the hill.''
  Today I honor the heroism, courage, and valor of PFC Ignacio Servin, 
who was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action during the 
assault on Peleliu in the Pacific combat theater.

                          ____________________