“As a Vietnam Veteran, it is a special pleasure for me to congratulate Command Sergeant Major Iuni Savusa for his outstanding leadership and service.  Iuni fought in the Afghanistan conflict during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 where he was Command Sergeant Major for the Task Force Rakkasan, 101st Airborne Division-Air Assault.  He also fought in the recent Iraqi war serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was the first soldier from the 101st Airborne Division to cross the border of Iraq.” 

       “The whole world has now heard the reports about his act of bravery during the Iraq war,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “Instead of ordering one of his soldiers to take action, Iuni Savusa showed true leadership when he took matters in his own hands and single-handedly killed two Iraqi soldiers who fired at his brigade while they were enroute to Baghdad.  According to eyewitness reports by members of the media that were embedded with the Allied forces, Savusa grabbed a grenade, walked within 30 yards of the line of trees where the enemy fighters were and tossed the grenade effectively killing two Iraqi fighters.  Savusa’s heroic actions ended an ambush of a convoy of U.S. infantry troops as they were pinned down at a road leading to the ruins of ancient Babylon.” 

       “I admire CSM Savusa for his bravery and I also admire him for his humility and for the way he cares about the welfare of our Samoan soldiers serving in the U.S. Armed Forces,” Faleomavaega said.  “Over the years, Iuni has contacted me many times to discuss matters of interest to our Samoan soldiers, including ways we can protect the rights of our active duty service men and women to vote in federal elections held in American Samoa.” 
“Throughout the war in Iraq, Iuni also took time to send emails to update me on the status of his troops and especially the few Samoans who were serving with him.  In his most recent email, he thanked me for my support of our troops and also sent his congratulations and best wishes on my appointment as Senior or Ranking Member on the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee.” 

       “It is now ironic that CSM Savusa’s first assignment as post Command Sergeant Major will be at Fort Polk,” Faleomavaega said.  “It was at Fort Polk that CSM Savusa got his first taste of what life is like in the military while attending Basic Training and Advance Individual Training.  As one of the largest training facilities in the U.S. military and home to the Joint Readiness Training Center with a population of over 15,000 and a land area of about 200 acres, being the installation Command Sergeant Major at Fort Polk is no walk in the park.  But it is a distinction of which all Samoans can be proud.” 

       “Command Sergeant Major Iuni Savusa is most deserving of this promotion.  It is my understanding that Iuni Savusa is the first Samoan enlisted in the U.S. Army to ever achieve the position of Command Sergeant Major in a military installation or post and I am proud of him for it,” the Congressman said.  “CSM Savusa is also the recipient of numerous awards and commendations from the U.S. Army including the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Multinational Force, and Observer Medal.  He has also received the coveted Ranger Tab, CIB, EIB, Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, and Drill Sergeant Badge.” 

       “CSM Iuniasolua Savusa hails from the village of Nu’uuli, Itu’au County, American Samoa.  He is the son of Savusa Tului of Nu’uuli and Talaitupu Savusa of Fagasa.  He is married to the former Mareta S. Iese of American Samoa.  They have five children named Alexis, Alexandrya, Alexander, Alexandrite, and Meiyann.” 

       “Like the U.S. Army, I have every confidence that with the kind of leadership skills and experience CSM Savusa has demonstrated time and again, he will be successful in his new assignment at Fort Polk,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “I also know that Samoans everywhere join with me in congratulating CSM Savusa for a job well done and in wishing him and his family the very best.” 

Congressman Faleomavaega and Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua Savusa during their meeting in DC in which they discussed issues that are affecting Samoans in the military, including ways to protect the rights of Samoan active duty service men and women to vote in federal elections in American Samoa.