WASHINGTON, D.C.: Oregon Congressman Kurt Schrader submitted a statement into the Congressional Record this week honoring members of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, of the Oregon National Guard for their heroic action during the Battle of Fallujah in November of 2004.

The unit will be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their gallantry in combat. This will be the first award of the Presidential Unit Citation to a unit of the Oregon National Guard in more than six decades. The last time a unit of the Oregon National Guard received this distinction was for their valor during the Second World War.

“Oregon and our nation owe a debt of gratitude to these brave warriors for the outstanding and honorable service their unit performed under the most hostile of circumstances,” said Schrader. “The fact that it has been 60 years since an Oregon Guard unit received such an honor speaks volumes of their accomplishment.”

Congressman Schrader’s statement for the record is included below in its entirety.

HON. KURT SCHRADER
OF OREGON
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, January 06, 2011

Mr. SCHRADER, Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the 2nd Platoon, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard for their heroic action during the Battle of Fallujah in November of 2004. The unit will soon be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their gallantry in combat. This will be the first award of the Presidential Unit Citation to a unit of the Oregon National Guard in over six decades. The last time a unit of the Oregon National Guard received this distinction was for their valor during the Second World War.

The Presidential Unit Citation reads: “On 03 November 2004, the unit was placed under the operational control of the 1st Regimental Combat Team of the 1st Marine Division, to execute offensive operations in the central Iraqi city of Fallujah.  The unit was selected for the initial attack on the city and tasked with penetrating the enemy’s defenses and isolating the Jolan District in northwestern Fallujah.  The Jolan District was believed to be the strongest of the enemy’s defenses.  The unit’s rapid penetration deep into the city overwhelmed enemy positions, leading the way for further exploitation by the Marines.  Throughout the remainder of the battle, the unit continued to isolate western Fallujah while attacking and destroying numerous enemy strong points.  The unit’s heroic Soldiers, and their expert use of combined arms firepower, led to the destruction of the insurgents in Fallujah.”

The soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Company B, 2-162nd Infantry have demonstrated the kind of courage, determination, and skill exemplifying the highest standards of the United States Armed Forces and reflect great credit upon themselves, the Oregon National Guard, and the United States Army.

The Oregon National Guard has deployed 8,917 citizen soldiers worldwide in combat and counter-terrorist operations since September 11, 2001. As our citizen soldiers have repeatedly demonstrated their dedication to the United States of America, we in Congress must reaffirm our support for the men and women who bravely serve our Country.