[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      50TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMISSIONING OF U.S.S. ``WILKES-BARRE''

                                 ______


                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 1994

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of the commissioning of the U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre. This 
September, the surviving shipmates of the World War II cruiser will 
gather in Wilkes-Barre, PA to reiminisce and celebrate the anniversary. 
The first reunion of the shipmates began in Wilkes-Barre in 1988, and I 
am pleased that they will be returning to northeastern Pennsylvania for 
the 50th anniversary. I especially want to recognize the efforts of Mr. 
Paul Rogan and his cochair, Mr. Frank K. Cotterall who have undertaken 
the considerable task of bringing the former shipmates together from 
all around the country.
  The U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre was commissioned on July 1, 1944. The ship 
served in the the Pacific theater throughout World War II and received 
four battle stars for her service.
  The best tribute paid to the captain and crew of the U.S.S. Wilkes-
Barre is inscribed on a memorial which is proudly displayed on the 
grounds of the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. It reads:

       These anchors and bell are preserved here as a memorial to 
     a valiant ship. The U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre CL 103, was a 10,000 
     ton Cleveland class cruiser, launched December 24, 1943, 
     commissioned July 1st, 1944 and attached to the Pacific 
     Fleet, Cruiser Division Seventeen.
       Becoming a part of task force 38, Third Fleet, the cruiser 
     took part in bombardments against the enemy at French 
     Indochina, China, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Japan. During the 
     Okinawa Campaign, the U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre aided the stricken 
     carrier U.S.S. Bunker Hill and gained credit for saving the 
     carrier.
       The U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre received word of the enemy 
     surrender while off Hokkaido and entered Tokyo Bay to cover 
     the landing of American Troops.
       The U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre was decommissioned on October 9, 
     1947.

  Perhaps the most incredible fact about this ship is that none of its 
crew was killed during the war. I always believed that being associated 
with Wilkes-Barre was good luck, and when I learned of this fact, my 
beliefs were confirmed.
  Mr. Speaker, the hard work of the U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre Association 
will culminate as their shipmates and wives gather here to celebrate 
and remember this fall. The U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre and her crew served our 
country proudly and with distinction. I am proud to represent the area 
which lent its name to such a fine ship and I look forward to the 
reunion of the crew members of the ``Willie-Bee.''

                          ____________________