[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 665 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 665

  Recognizing the crew of the San Antonio Rose, B-17F, who sacrificed 
 their lives during World War II, and honoring their memory during the 
           week of the 75th anniversary of that tragic event.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 15, 2017

Mr. Himes (for himself, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, 
Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Norton, and 
Mr. Serrano) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the crew of the San Antonio Rose, B-17F, who sacrificed 
 their lives during World War II, and honoring their memory during the 
           week of the 75th anniversary of that tragic event.

Whereas, in 1943, the ongoing fighting against the Japanese in the Pacific 
        during World War II was treacherous, a decisive outcome hung in the 
        balance, and every victory against the Japanese contributed to the 
        ultimate success in the region;
Whereas, on January 5, 1943, six B-17s of the 43rd Bombardment Group and six B-
        24s of the 90th Bombardment Group left from Port Moresby, New Guinea, to 
        bomb shipping at Rabaul, New Britain, to break up a major Japanese 
        reinforcement convoy;
Whereas, with the San Antonio Rose, B-17F (No. 41-24458), in the lead, the 
        twelve bombers of the anti-shipping strike proceeded to Rabaul splitting 
        the formation to target shipping in Blanche Bay, Simpson Harbor, Keravia 
        Bay, and Vunapope;
Whereas the American attack surprised the Japanese, and they did not fire anti-
        aircraft artillery until after the American bombs had been successfully 
        dropped on their targets;
Whereas, when bombers rejoined formation, the San Antonio Rose was no longer in 
        the lead and did not rejoin the formation;
Whereas the San Antonio Rose was last reported to have smoke trailing from the 
        aircraft while being pursued by Japanese fighters into the clouds 
        heading south just east of Vunakanau, New Britain Island, in what is now 
        Papua New Guinea;
Whereas the San Antonio Rose was never sighted again;
Whereas the crew onboard the San Antonio Rose were declared missing in action on 
        January 5, 1943, and subsequently declared killed in action on December 
        12, 1945;
Whereas the members of the crew of the San Antonio Rose included--

    Pilot, Major Allen Lindberg, New York, New York

    Co-Pilot, Captain Benton H. Daniel, Hollis, Oklahoma

    Bombardier, 2nd Lieutenant Robert L. Hand, Fields Store, Texas

    Navigator, 1st Lieutenant John W. Hanson, Missoula, Montana

    Engineer, Technical Sergeant Dennis T. Craig, New York, New York

    Radio, Staff Sergeant Quentin W. Blakely, Washington, District of 
Columbia

    Gunner, Sergeant Leslie A. Stewart, East Chicago, Illinois

    Gunner, Private First Class Leland W. Stone, Oakland, California

    Gunner, Private First Class William G. Fraser, Jr., San Antonio, Texas

    Observer, Lieutenant Colonel Jack W. Bleasdale, San Fernando, 
California

    Observer, Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker, Cerillos, New Mexico; 
and

Whereas the crew of the San Antonio Rose, including Brigadier General Kenneth N. 
        Walker, Medal of Honor recipient and highest ranking officer missing in 
        action from World War II, have never been recovered and brought home to 
        rest: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the heroic actions and selflessness of 
        the crew of the San Antonio Rose, B-17F (No. 41-24458), led to 
        lessons learned that directly impacted the success of 
        subsequent missions, including the Battle of the Bismarck Sea;
            (2) commemorates the 75th anniversary of the loss of the 
        San Antonio Rose and its crew;
            (3) expresses gratitude to the Airmen who served aboard the 
        San Antonio Rose for their faithful service; and
            (4) honors the memory of the crew of the San Antonio Rose 
        with a pledge to never forget their sacrifice by encouraging 
        the continued search and recovery of their remains, and to 
        fulfill the promise to finally bring them home.
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