Whereas the First Special Service Force (referred to in
this preamble as the Force
), a military unit composed of
volunteers from the United States and Canada, was activated in July 1942 at
Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana;
Whereas the Force was initially intended to target
military and industrial installations that were supporting the German war
effort, including important hydroelectric plants, which would severely limit
the production of strategic materials used by the Axis powers;
Whereas, from July 1942 through June 1943, volunteers of
the Force trained in hazardous, arctic conditions in the mountains of western
Montana, and in the waterways of Camp Bradford, Virginia;
Whereas the combat echelon of the Force totaled 1,800
soldiers, half from the United States and half from Canada;
Whereas the Force also contained a service battalion,
composed of 800 members from the United States, that provided important support
for the combat troops;
Whereas a special bond developed between the Canadian and
United States soldiers, who were not segregated by country, although the
commander of the Force was a United States colonel;
Whereas the Force was the only unit formed during World
War II that consisted of troops from Canada and the United States;
Whereas, in October 1943, the Force went to Italy, where
it fought in battles south of Cassino, including Monte La Difensa and Monte
Majo, two mountain peaks that were a critical anchor of the German defense
line;
Whereas, during the night of December 3, 1943, the Force
ascended to the top of the precipitous face of Monte La Difensa, where the
Force suffered heavy casualties and overcame fierce resistance to overtake the
German line;
Whereas, after the battle for La Difensa, the Force
continued to fight tough battles at high altitudes, in rugged terrain, and in
severe weather;
Whereas, after battles on the strongly defended Italian
peaks of Sammucro, Vischiataro, and Remetanea, the size of the Force had been
reduced from 1,800 soldiers to fewer than 500;
Whereas, for 4 months in 1944, the Force engaged in raids
and aggressive patrols at the Anzio Beachhead;
Whereas, on June 4, 1944, members of the Force were among
the first Allied troops to liberate Rome;
Whereas, after liberating Rome, the Force moved to
southern Italy and prepared to assist in the liberation of France;
Whereas, during the early morning of August 15, 1944,
members of the Force made silent landings on Les Iles D'Hyeres, small islands
in the Mediterranean Sea along the southern coast of France;
Whereas the Force faced a sustained and withering assault
from the German garrisons as the Force progressed from the islands to the
Franco-Italian border;
Whereas, after the Allied forces secured the
Franco-Italian border, the United States Army ordered the disbandment of the
Force on December 5, 1944, in Nice, France;
Whereas, during 251 days of combat, the Force suffered
2,314 casualties, or 134 percent of its authorized strength, captured thousands
of prisoners, won 5 United States campaign stars and 8 Canadian battle honors,
and never failed a mission;
Whereas the United States is forever indebted to the acts
of bravery and selflessness of the troops of the Force, who risked their lives
for the cause of freedom;
Whereas the efforts of the Force along the seas and skies
of Europe were critical in repelling the advance of Nazi Germany and liberating
numerous communities in France and Italy;
Whereas the bond between the members of the Force from the
United States and those from Canada has endured over the decades, as the
members meet every year for a reunion, alternating between the United States
and Canada; and
Whereas the traditions and honors exhibited by the Force
are carried on by 2 outstanding active units of 2 great democracies, the
Special Forces of the United States and the Canadian Special Operations
Regiment: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate recognizes and honors
the superior service of the First Special Service Force during World War
II.