One of the highest honors and duties I have as your Congressman is spending time with and paying tribute to the families of service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. 
Today, I was humbled & honored to attend a funeral service in honor of Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo, USMC, in Arlington National Cemetery with his family. The Pongos are residents of Simi Valley. Diego was a true hero to our nation & was killed in action on March 8, 2020 in Iraq.
While #CA25 mourns his loss, we also give thanks for his selfless sacrifice and the sacrifices of his family. Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo represents the best of us and will forever be remembered as a true American hero and patriot.
We must never forget that there are men and women deployed overseas that are placing themselves in danger every day in defense of the freedoms that we enjoy here at home. May God bless them all and may he embrace Diego in the warmth of his unending love.
Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in October of 2004. He was assigned to Golf Company 2nd Marine Raider Battalion under the Marine Special Operations Command in 2011 and ultimately was assigned to the Marine Raider Regiment in 2017.
Here, he performed the duties of the Regional Operations Chief. Gunnery Sergeant Pongo’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award...
the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award, the Army Valorous Unit Award, the Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, two Humanitarian Service Medals, the National Defense Medal...
the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo is survived by his daughter (Avery), his ex-wife (Ms. Randi Savage), his mother and father (Ms. Kathryn Steffen and Mr. Carlos Pongo), and his two brothers and their wives (Jorge and Jenna Pongo & Andres and Andrea Pongo).
Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo, USMC (July 19, 1985 – March 8, 2020). May God Bless Diego and be with his family during this most difficult time.
