Command Sergeant Major Savusa to Speak at ASCC Graduation

ASCC Press Release Monday, December 06, 2010

Command Sergeant Major Savusa to Speak at ASCC Graduation

By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer

The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) will hold its fall 2010 commencement ceremony on Friday, December 17th, beginning at 10 a.m. in the College Gymnasium. Although the final number will depend on final examination results and other factors, the ASCC Student Services Division estimates that 136 graduates will receive their degrees and certificates during the College’s 53rd commencement.

The College continually seeks to feature local residents or individuals with roots in American Samoa who have made significant life accomplishments to be the guest speakers at its graduation ceremonies, and this semester ASCC has the honor of welcoming Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua T. Savusa, currently the highest ranked enlisted serviceman of Polynesian ancestry in the US military. CSM 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.

A son of American Samoa, CSM Savusa assumed duties as Command Sergeant Major, International Security Assistance Force/North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Afghanistan in July 2008, and later as Command Sergeant Major, United States Forces, Afghanistan in October 2008. Initially enlisting in June 1975, 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. Over the next two years he also deployed in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM I and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM VI. 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) and many others.

American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin has commended CSM Savusa for his “outstanding leadership and service”. “CSM Savusa fought in the Iraqi war, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was the first soldier from the 101st Airborne Division to cross the border of Iraq,” said Faleomavaega. “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, he 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, CSM Savusa also took time to update me on the status of his troops, and especially the Samoans serving with him.”

“In his more than 30 years of service to our country, CSM Savusa has provided a shining example of the excellence our people can achieve in the military,” said ASCC Dean of Student Services Dr. Emilia Le’i. “We feel honored that he has accepted our invitation to address this semester’s graduates, and I’m certain that both our students and their families will find his speech inspiring.”

ENDS

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