We solute our Samoa Sons and Daughters, who, together with other brave Americans, are Fighting Against Terrorists and Tyrants!
We solute all soldiers, Salors, and Airmen. God bless you all and may He keep you safe and return home proud.
We'll remember you in our prayers.
We'll remember you in our conversations.
We'll remember you in our actions.
Final Roll Call
A Special Solute To Our Fallen Soldiers |
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Army Specialist Farao Kevin Letufuga
Army Private Jonathan I. Falaniko
Army Staff Sergeant Salamo J. Tuialu'ulu'u
Army Sergeant Tina Safaira Time
Army Staff Sergeant Ioasa F. Tavae
Army Staff Sergeant Frank Tia'i
Army Master Sergeant Tulsa Tulaga Tuliau
Army Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Sifoa Loa
Army Staff Sergeant Michael Fuga
Army PFC David Tipo Toomalatai
Marine Sergeant Faoa "AP" Apineru
Army Sergeant Nimo Westhill Masaniai Tauala
Army Sergeant Raymond Sasa Sevaaetasi
Army PFC Timothy Ray Vimoto
Army Specialist Avealalo Milo
Army Sergeant Lui Tumanuvao
Marine Lt. Col. Max A. Galea'i
Army Staff Sergeant Loleni W. Gandy
Army Specialist Tofiga J. Tautolo
Army 1st Lt. Jason Togi
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| "They gave their lives so that we, and others, shall be free." |
Defend America
| "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy, forget in time that men have died to win them." ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt |
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Biography
Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua T. Savusa, USA
Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Pacific Command
 Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua T. Savusa serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader and advisor to the United States Pacific Command Combatant Commander and staff. He provides an enlisted perspective on AOR strategic vision, theater security cooperation, including partner nations enlisted leadership development, and the operational readiness of 430,000 United States military personnel. CSM Savusa creates awareness and provides guidance on the commander's theater strategic objectives to all United States enlisted personnel. He serves as the senior mentor for all command senior enlisted personnel assigned to service component Headquarters and Sub-Unified Commands, as well as Joint Task Force command senior enlisted leaders. As a command representative, he presents an enlisted perspective to countries requesting assistance in developing and maintaining a corps of professionally committed technically and tactically competent enlisted leaders.
CSM Iuniasolua T. Savusa is a native of American Samoa. He assumed duties as Command Sergeant Major, International Security Assistance Force/North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Afghanistan on 11 July 2008 and later as Command Sergeant Major, United States Forces, Afghanistan on 3 October 2008 (a dual-hatted command). CSM Savusa began his military career over 30 years ago on 17 June 1975. As an Infantryman, he spent the majority of his career in infantry, ranger, air assault, and airborne assignments. CSM Savusa has continually served in leadership positions, such as team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, scout platoon sergeant, drill sergeant, senior air assault instructor, chief instructor light fighters infantry course, Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor, first sergeant, and operations sergeant major.
CSM Savusa has also served as battalion CSM of 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky., brigade CSM of 3d Brigade, 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky., CSM, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La., CSM for Southern European Task Force (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy, and as the CSM United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Heidelberg, Germany.
In support of the Global War on Terrorism, in 2002 he deployed to Afghanistan and served as the CSM, Task Force Rakkasan, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Operation Enduring Freedom I. In 2003, he deployed as the CSM, 3d Brigade, 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasan), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Operation IRAQI FREEDOM I. In 2005, he again deployed with Southern European Task Force (Airborne) as the CSM, Combined Joint Task Force - 76, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM VI.
CSM Savusa is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 46 and has completed all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, to include the First Sergeant Course. He has also completed the Ranger Course, Airborne School, Jump Master School, Drill Sergeant School, Air Assault School, Pathfinder Course, Battle Staff Course, and the (Keystone) Command Senior Enlisted Course.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal with "V" (2nd oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (7th Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Ribbon (Bronze Service Star), GWOT Expeditionary Medal (with Arrow Head Device), GWOT Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (9th Award), Korean Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (4), Army Service Ribbon, Multinational Force & Observer Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Italian Army Parachutist Badge.
Source: U.S. Pacific Command
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 Obama War Room
President Barack Obama meets with his national security team for his regular monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Situation Room of the White House, Oct. 20, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Source:ABC, Channel-11 (WTVD), Eyewitness News, Raleigh-Durham
NEWS
FORT BRAGG'S TOP NCO RETIRES
Fort Bragg's top NCO retires
Command Sergeant Major Isaia T. Vimoto
WTVD By Nicole Carr
Friday, December 11, 2015
FORT BRAGG (WTVD) -- Born to be a NCO. That's how everyone who's had a chance to talk about Command Sergeant Major Isaia T. Vimoto describes his storied career.
From humble beginnings and climbing the Army ladder through hard work and perseverance, through triumph and tragedy, they say he's embodied the song played for him on Fort Bragg Friday morning.
"American Soldier."
Vimoto, the former XVIII Airborne Corps Command Sergeant Major, was celebrated in a retirement ceremony held in the Noncommissioned Officers Academy auditorium. Flanked by family and friends, Vimoto spoke of his dreams to become a soldier as a young boy growing up in the American Somoa. All he wanted to do was fight like the warriors he watched on television.
"Well I'll tell you as an island boy, I never though in my wildest dreams I'd make it this far in the Army," Vimoto told the audience.
What began as a plan to serve a few years, and then a few more, turned into a 34 year career for Vimoto, who became a part of military history for his roles in combat and a part of headlines for the son his family lost in battle in 2007.
It was then that Private First Class Timothy Vimoto, following in his father's footsteps, deployed alongside him in Afghanistan. The younger Vimoto would die in a small-arms fire on June 5th.
Three years later, his father would return to the same battlefields, serving this time as General Daniel B. Allyn's right hand man, leading troops along the frontlines through the Regional Command East.
Allyn, the Army's current Vice Chief of Chief and former Corps commander, returned to Fort Bragg from the Pentagon to honor Vimoto.
He affectionately called his battle buddy Ace, describing their quick meeting before heading off to Afghanistan. Vimoto, Allyn said, would be the best NCO he could have by his side, although he'd only see him on weekends because Vimoto insisted on leaving headquarters to stay by his soldiers' sides during the week.
"During the long and challenging days in Afghanistan, I always looked forward to Saturday and Sunday because they were the two days I got to look my Battle Buddy in the eye," Allyn said.
"The next morning, SGM. Vimoto would be out again, caring for soldiers, solving problems for commanders and leading from the front," said Allyn. "This is the enduring image I carry with me of Ace. Running back out to the soldiers in the field. The consummate professional committed to a lifetime of service to others."
Vimoto credited his mother, former platoon sergeant and his wife, Misimua, with encouraging him to stick with the Army.
The husband and father of five, including two soldier daughters, says the family will retire in Washington State.
"Look us up if you're in the area. We'll be the only Vimotos out there," he laughed.
Vimoto's Top 5
Vimoto ended his retirement ceremony with a helpful Vimoto Top 5 list for leadership and success.
- "We not I."
While winning includes an 'I," Team does not, Vimoto reminds the audience. When you take care of people, they will help you become successful, he said.
- "Destination Disease"
"Don't get comfortable," Vimoto warns. That's when your career becomes stagnate. Vimoto say s you've "gotta continue to improve."
- "Standards"
Vimoto encouraged the audience to carry them wherever they go, and apply them to whatever situation they may face.
- "Attitude is everything"
The saying speaks for itself.
- "Inspire or Retire"
If you've lost your passion for the Army or whatever you do, it's time to give it up, Vimoto said. "You'll know when your time is," he told the audience. "The Army shouldn't have to usher you out. We control our destiny."
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