Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that Specialist Satuala Jerome Amoa has been transferred to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii for further treatment and rehabilitation.  SPC Amoa was injured on June 28, 2005 during a vehicle crash in Balad, Iraq while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was first medevac’ed to Landsthul Regional Medical Center in Germany and later to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC for treatment for his injuries.  He is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, 442^nd Infantry Company, 100^th Battalion in American Samoa. 

            Upon arrival in the United States, SPC Satuala Amoa was first greeted by his older sister, Francine Amoa, who attends the University of Hawaii but, coincidently is at Walter Reed Medical Center for a Summer internship at the Walter Reed Institute for Research.  Their parents, Dr. Jerome Amoa and Mrs. Vaasa Amoa, who rushed from American Samoa to be at their son’s side, later joined them in Washington, DC.  Dr. Jerome Amoa and Mrs. Vaasa Amoa are from Samoa and currently reside in Fagaalu, American Samoa. 

            “Initial reports about SPC Satuala Amoa’s condition were not very encouraging but his prognosis soon changed after he arrived in the United States and started to receive medical treatment in Walter Reed Army Hospital,” said Congressman Faleomavaega.  “I know how important it is to the soldiers and their families when faced with difficult times like these to have support around them so I informed our local Samoan community church in the Washington, DC area about SPC Amoa’s situation.  I am very pleased that Reverend Sui Meki To’alepai and members of our Samoan church along with my office were able to visit SPC Amoa in the hospital and offered prayers and encouragement to him.”

“I also want to express my deepest gratitude to retired Brigadier General Ray Gandy, the former commander of the 9^th Regional Readiness Command which includes our Army Reserve unit in American Samoa, for coming out to visit Satuala Amoa in Washington.  I am sure his visit meant a great deal to the family, but especially to a young soldier like Satuala in his recovery.”