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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT FIRST CLASS JAVIER J. GUTIERREZ
______
HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO
of texas
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 10, 2020
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of United
States Army Sergeant First Class Javier J. Gutierrez who died on
February 8, 2020, in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, in support of
Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Sergeant First Class Gutierrez is from my
hometown of San Antonio, Texas and is survived by his wife Gabriela
Gutierrez, four children, and parents Sylvia and Javier Gutierrez. I am
deeply saddened by his passing but also confident that his memory will
live on through his many loved ones and our entire community.
Javier Jaguar Gutierrez was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on
August 12, 1991. At an early age he demonstrated an interest in joining
the military and following in his father's footsteps. His father,
Javier S. Gutierrez, served in the United States Marine Corps as an
enlisted combat engineer during the Gulf War. His great-grandfather,
Thomas Ortiz, served in the Army Air Forces as a bombardier during
World War II. He was a prisoner of war, taken by the Nazis after his
plane was shot down.
Shortly after graduating from Luther Burbank High School in 2009,
Gutierrez enlisted in the United States Army, where he was stationed at
the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg,
North Carolina. He later went on to attend Special Forces assessment
and selection, graduating in 2015 as a Communications Sergeant and
assignment at the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Airborne Group at
Eglin Air Force Base of Florida.
Sergeant First Class Gutierrez was a person of high quality whose
humility was only matched by his commitment to service. During his 11
years of remarkable service, he received several awards, which included
the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Good Conduct
Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War
on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional
Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Expert Infantry and
Parachutist Badges; and the Special Forces Tab. Sergeant First Class
Gutierrez was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple
Heart, and promoted to the rank of Sergeant 1st Class.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the life and service of a
person who dedicated themselves to family and country above all else.
The entire San Antonio community mourns the loss of an American hero.
We will be forever indebted to this true patriot whose sacrifice cannot
be measured. I thank Sergeant First Class Gutierrez for his service,
his bravery, and for his unending commitment to our great country.
____________________
