[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 481 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 481

Expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the acts of 
  heroism and military achievement of Major Richard D. Winters (Ret.) 
  during World War II, and commending him for leadership and valor in 
                    leading the men of Easy Company.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 20, 2004

            Mr. Santorum submitted the following resolution

            November 21 (legislative day, November 20), 2004

                        Considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the acts of 
  heroism and military achievement of Major Richard D. Winters (Ret.) 
  during World War II, and commending him for leadership and valor in 
                    leading the men of Easy Company.

Whereas historians have written that World War II began on September 1, 1939, 
        when Nazi Germany, without a declaration of war, invaded Poland; and 
        following Poland's surrender, the Nazis quickly moved to invade and 
        occupy Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium;
Whereas following the Japanese sneak attack on the United States at Pearl 
        Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941, the United States declared war on 
        Japan and entered the conflict on the side of freedom and democracy;
Whereas when the fate of the free world was in jeopardy as a direct result of 
        Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime's desire for world conquest, the 
        ``greatest generation ever'' took up the task of ridding the world of 
        Nazi and Fascist regimes;
Whereas in 1944 the military forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, 
        and Canada landed at 5 beaches (Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, 
        Juno Beach, and Sword Beach) in Normandy, France with the goal of 
        liberating Europe from the Nazi forces;
Whereas according to military historians, in preparation for the amphibious 
        invasion at Normandy, Allied planes pounded the Nazi defenders and 
        dropped thousands of paratroopers behind German lines the night before 
        the seaborne landings;
Whereas Major Richard D. Winters (Ret.), a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and 
        a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, served the United States 
        honorably and with great distinction as 1st Lieutenant, Company E, 2nd 
        Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division;
Whereas landing at the town of Ste. Mere-Eglise on June 6, 1944, Lieutenant 
        Winters took command of ``Easy Company'' following the death of the 
        company commander in the airborne drop, and received orders to destroy a 
        four-gun battery of German 105mm howitzers at a French farmhouse named 
        ``Brecourt Manor'', 3 kilometers from Ste. Marie-du-Mont;
Whereas Lieutenant Winters, with only 12 men, proceeded to assault this enemy 
        battery which was directing heavy fire against the 4th Infantry Division 
        as they landed on Utah Beach;
Whereas against great odds, and through extraordinary bravery, Lieutenant 
        Winters and his men were able to overcome a platoon of 50 elite German 
        soldiers guarding the battery;
Whereas Lieutenant Winters personally led the attack and repeatedly exposed 
        himself directly to enemy fire while performing his military duties;
Whereas this gallant action by Lieutenant Winters and his men, 4 of whom gave 
        their lives, and 2 of whom were wounded, saved countless lives among the 
        soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division; and
Whereas Lieutenant Richard D. Winters received the Distinguished Service Cross 
        in recognition of his outstanding military service and achievement 
        during the Normandy campaign: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) salutes the accomplishments of Lieutenant Richard D. 
        Winters and the men of ``Easy Company'' for their actions to 
        ensure control over Utah Beach at Normandy;
            (2) commends the heroism and bravery shown by Lieutenant 
        Richard D. Winters in the face of death and severe hardship to 
        accomplish his mission and save the lives of Allied Forces 
        landing at Utah Beach;
            (3) acknowledges the historical achievements of Lieutenant 
        Richard D. Winters and the men of ``Easy Company'' in assuring 
        the success of the Allied Normandy campaign, begun on June 6, 
        1944; and
            (4) expresses its gratitude for the selfless service of 
        Lieutenant Richard D. Winters, the men of ``Easy Company,'' and 
        all veterans who served in World War II in restoring freedom to 
        the world and for defeating the elements of evil and 
        oppression.
                                 <all>