Persian Gulf War Soldiers

Virginia Juloya-Balanga born Philippines; Army SSgt

Kelly Martin Liberato Bolor born 12/20/1965 Wailuku Maui ; died 11/15/2003 Mosul Iraq; UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash; buried Maui Memorial Park; Army Sfc; 137^th Quartermaster Co.; also in Persian Gulf War; Award: Hawaii Medal of Honor, Purple Heart Medal; Bronze Star Medal, Army Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal & Humanitarian Service Medal. Bolor Hall was named in his honor; his twin brother & another younger brother also in the military

Jose R. Corpus, born 1954 Quezon City Philippines Cpt Chief of Staff Carrier Group 5 (CAR GRU 5) also known as the Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Strike Group, Navy’s only permanently forward deployed Naval Force; Award: Bronze Star Medal 7/12/2003 “for providing combat air support during Operation Iraqi Freedom” US Naval Academy 1977 grad; immigrated to Seattle Wash @ 13 yrs of age w/ parents

Raul Caguin Custodio born 7/19/1956 Mindoro Philippines; died 3/1/2007 Kapolei; buried Hawaiian State Veterans Cemetery; Navy CPO

Greg Phil Gagarin born 1/4/1970 in Brgy Caterman Candon Ilocos Sur; died in Thania Iraq on 6/3/2007 KIA IED on his 3^rd tour of duty in Iraq SSgt Army Bravo Battery, 1-37 Field Artillery, 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team; buried in Candon also in Persian Gulf War. His father retired from the Air Force after 20 yrs; an older brother also in the Army

Abraham Tabor Gaviola born 5/5/1964 Philippines; died 9/6/2002; buried Schofield Post Cemetery; MSgt Army 19 yrs of service; a Lebanon & Grenada veteran; civilian: head of security @ 1717 Ala Wai Blvd Condominium

Joseph Menusa born 1970 Philippines; died 3/27/2033 Iraq in an ambush; Gunnery Sgt 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Military service: 14 yrs; resident of Tracy California Awards: US citizenship posthumous

Edward Soriano born 1949 Alcala Pangasinan Lt. General Army’s 3-star general & the highest-ranking Filipino-American in the U.S. Armed Forces; Army’s Station chief for the Persian Gulf War

Military service:1970-2004; Distinguished son of Alcala, 2004; MilitaryAwards: Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star , Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Soriano

Nicholas A. Suguitan born 9/9/1959; died 1/14/2001; buried Holy Sepulchre Hayward Ca; Air Force SSgt

Edward M. Tadena born 8/25/1961; died 7/3/2003; buried St. Peter & Paul Cemetery Ottawa, Ohio Navy HM1

IN SALUTE OF OUR FILIPINO HEROES -- HON. BILL LOWERY (Extension of Remarks - August 02, 1991)

[Page: E2942]

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HON. BILL LOWERY

in the House of Representatives

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1991

• Mr. LOWERY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of the many Filipino -Americans who have served in the U.S. armed services.

• The recent events in the Persian Gulf have once again turned this Nation's attention to the tremendous sacrifices that American servicemen and women have made for their country. Four thousand of these courageous individuals are Filipino -Americans. The citizens of San Diego would like to recognize the sacrifices and achievements of the Filipino -Americans who serve in the U.S. armed services.

• Hundreds of Filipino -Americans from the San Diego area served in the Persian Gulf and were instrumental in our decisive victory. These soldiers, airmen, and sailors displayed fortitude and determination in helping to preserve peace around the globe. This selfless display of courage and valor certainly deserves recognition.

• In addition, I stand with my colleagues, Duncan Hunter and Randy Cunningham, in supporting legislation which will enable these heroes to apply for U.S. citizenship. These soldiers would have given their lives for this country. The least we can do is invite them to become permanent members of our society.

• Mr. Speaker, I hope you and all our colleagues will join me in paying tribute to the Filipino -Americans who have served to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. Their contribution to America is greatly appreciated and should be rewarded.