Whereas, Captain John F. "Hans" Kurth was born on February 16, 1973, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and died on March 13, 2004, as a result of a roadside bomb in Tikrit, Iraq; and

Whereas, Captain Kurth graduated with honors from Columbus High School in 1991, where he ran track and contributed to Columbus winning a state football championship; and

Whereas, Captain Kurth received an appointment to West Point Military Academy, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, and graduated in 1995 with a bachelor of science degree in international relations and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant; and

Whereas, Captain Kurth went on to continue his military education by successfully completing: Airborne School; Air Assault Course; Master Fitness Trainer Course; Ranger Course; Infantry Officer Basic Course; Infantry Officer Advance Course; Combined Arms and Services Staff School; and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Commander's Course; and

Whereas, Captain Kurth's military assignments included: rifle platoon leader; anti-armor platoon leader; executive officer; battalion S-4 logistics officer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Albania and Kosovo; assistant S-3 operations officer at Conn Barracks, Germany; battalion S-5 civilian military operations officer in Kosovo; and company commander at Conn Barracks, Germany, and Iraq; and

Whereas, Captain Kurth's awards and decorations include: the Army Service Ribbon; the Humanitarian Service Medal; the Kosovo Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal (2nd award); Army Achievement Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster; Parachutist Badge; Ranger Tab; Expert Infantryman Badge; Combat Infantryman Badge; Purple Heart (posthumously); and Bronze Star (posthumously); and

Whereas, Captain Kurth made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while advancing the cause of freedom for the Iraqi people; and

Whereas, Captain Kurth will always be remembered for his bravery and courage and will never be forgotten; now, therefore, be it