[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19779-19780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SPECIALIST 
                       (SPC) TERRY KISHAUN GORDON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Specialist (SPC) Terry ``Dantez'' Kishaun Gordon who paid the ultimate 
sacrifice while defending our nation on December 18, 2013, during 
Operation Enduring Freedom. SPC Gordon was killed when the Black Hawk 
UH-60 he was riding in crashed in Naw Bahar, Afghanistan. Also killed 
were Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Randy L. Billings, Sergeant (SGT) 
Peter Bohler, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Omar W. Forde, Chief Warrant 
Officer 2 (CW2) Joshua B. Silverman, and Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jesse L. 
Williams. SPC Gordon was assigned to 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry 
Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort 
Riley, Kansas.
  Following the crash, a statement was issued from Fort Riley. ``We 
offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of these 
'Big Red One Soldiers,''' Major General Paul E. Funk, II, 1st Infantry 
Division and Fort Riley Commanding General, said. ``We stand ready to 
support them and I urge our community and the nation, while remembering 
their sacrifices this holiday season, to do the same.''
  According to the Associated Press, SPC Gordon, a Quitman, Mississippi 
native, graduated from Quitman High School in 2011. While in high 
school, SPC Gordon served as a member of the high school's U.S. Army 
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Michael McDonald, 
Quitman High School principal, described SPC Gordon as a great young

[[Page 19780]]

man. ``His leadership and confidence was clearly evident,'' Mr McDonald 
said. ``He just oozed confidence and he was dependable and well-
respected among the students here.'' A Mankato Times article states 
that SPC Gordon loved helicopters and that he knew early on that he was 
meant for the Army because he could fly on a Black Hawk.
  Miriam Gordon, SPC Gordon's aunt, said he was a happy child who loved 
his family, friends, and his country. ``Every time you saw him, he had 
a smile,'' Mrs. Gordon said. ``He always did little pranks and jokes. 
If you were having a bad day and saw him, you had a great day. He 
brought the goodness out of people. He was bigger than anything I could 
ever imagine as far as being a model child. Sometimes they stray, but 
this child didn't stray.''
  SPC Gordon and his fallen comrades were honored on January 9, 2013, 
during a memorial service held at Fort Riley, Kansas. Nearly 500 people 
attended the service that was held at the Morris Hill Chapel. 
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Matt Weinshel commanded the crew while 
deployed in Afghanistan. ``Each of these soldiers knew the risks they 
assumed,'' LTC Weinshel said. ``They loved their mission and each 
other. They truly loved flying and told me so on several occasions.'' 
During the service, speakers told those in attendance that the soldiers 
were focused on their work, but also smiled and offered hugs to break 
the tension while preparing helicopters for missions during deployment.
  SPC Gordon is survived by his father, Terry W. Gordon; his mother, 
Sabina R. Edwards; his sister, Terruna Gordon; his stepfather, David 
Edwards; and his two half-brothers, David Edwards, Jr., and William 
Edwards.
  SPC Gordon proudly serviced America. His sacrifice to protect the 
freedoms we all enjoy will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________