[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5602-S5603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 62--RELATIVE TO THE NAMING THE FIRST OF 
          THE FLEET NEW ATTACK SUBMARINES THE ``SOUTH DAKOTA''

  Mr. PRESSLER submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                            S. Con. Res. 62

       Whereas the battleship South Dakota (BB-57) was 
     commissioned on March 20, 1942, and was originally scheduled 
     to host the surrender of Japan in World War II;
       Whereas the battleship South Dakota (BB-57) quickly became 
     the flagship of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz's 3d fleet and was 
     renowned as the famous Battleship ``X'';
       Whereas the battleship South Dakota (BB-57) was one of the 
     greatest and most decorated battleships of World War II, 
     earning the Navy unit commendation, the Asiatic-Pacific 
     Campaign Medal with 13 battle stars, the World War II Victory 
     Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal;
       Whereas on January 31, 1947, after only 5 years of service, 
     the battleship South Dakota (BB-57) was decommissioned and 
     placed in reserve;;
       Whereas during its 5 years of dutiful service, the crew of 
     the battleship South Dakota (BB-57) demonstrated both 
     dedication and courage in their efforts to preserve the 
     security of the United States and protect the freedoms of all 
     Americans; and
       Whereas it is entirely appropriate to have the first of the 
     fleet of the new attack submarines of the Navy named the 
     ``South Dakota'' in order to honor the courage and commitment 
     of the brave crew of the battleship South Dakota (BB-57), and 
     to serve as a fitting tribute to one of America's truly great 
     battleships: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the 
     Secretary of the Navy should name the first of the fleet of 
     the new attack submarines of the Navy the ``South Dakota''.

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I rise to honor and recognize Floyd 
Gulbrandson, Al Rickel, Charles Skorpik, Willie Wieland, and the rest 
of the dedicated crew of the famous World War II battleship BB-57, the 
South Dakota, by introducing a resolution to name the first of the next 
generation of new attack submarines (NSSN) the South Dakota.
  Following naval tradition, naming the first vessel in a new fleet 
christens the entire fleet as the class of the first vessel named. 
Hence by naming the first submarine South Dakota, the entire NSSN fleet 
of four would be classified as the South Dakota class. This honor, 
naming a class of submarines after the BB-57 is truly an appropriate 
tribute.
  For my colleagues familiar with U.S. naval history, the name South 
Dakota should recall a tradition of great battleships and great 
service. As history records, two separate classes of battleships have 
borne the name South Dakota. Both were marked by innovative design, 
artillery power, and sea strength. Commissioned in 1908 and authorized 
on August 19, 1916, BB-49, the first of a class of South Dakota 
battleships was to include six potent vessels. However, after the 
United States signed the Washington Arms Naval Limitation Treaty on 
February 6, 1922, construction of BB-49 and the entire South Dakota 
class was canceled due to a 10-year prohibition on warship 
construction. The first South Dakota, BB-49, would never participate in 
sea combat as she was scrapped before completion. Naval combat for a 
South Dakota class of warships would have to wait until World War II.
  The next class of South Dakota battleships, this time composed of 
four vessels, was commissioned 33 years later in 1941, the first being 
BB-57. The four South Dakota class battleships were faster, stronger, 
and more resistant to damage than any other vessels constructed at that 
time. In particular, stretching more than 600 feet and displacing more 
than 43,000 tons of water, BB-57 was equipped with massive firepower, 
which included 9 16-inch guns, 16 5-inch guns, 68 40-millimeter guns, 
and 76 20-millimeter guns.
  Both classes of South Dakota battleships represented the ingenious 
technological and planning expertise of America's battleship designers. 
These ships were carefully designed to ensure that our strategic 
interests and our defense needs were met. Particularly in the case of 
BB-57, the planning and design of the battleship were truly remarkable 
naval achievements, considering treaty limitations prior to World War 
II. South Dakota represented future U.S. domination as a world naval 
power.
  Of course, a well-designed battleship is useless without a well-
trained, dedicated crew. I would like to share with my colleagues an 
excerpt from a letter I received from a crewmember of the South Dakota. 
Mr. Elmer Pry's words represent the zeal, loyalty, and teamwork of 
those who served on this ship.

       This ship was the most fightingest hard hitting machine of 
     war that man has ever seen. We took it and by joe we dished 
     it out. I was a very proud person to have the honor

[[Page S5603]]

     to have been aboard her and I know all my shipmates felt the 
     same. She took us through hell and back. We were mostly a 
     green crew but with the help of the old salts we learned how 
     to do the job and we sure did it as the record shows but 
     I guess you have to give the credit to our beloved 
     skipper, Captain Thomas L. Gatch. He is the one that made 
     us a fighting crew. He trained us the day he came aboard 
     to shoot and shoot straight. . . . Because of him the ship 
     became a fighting machine.

  Mr. President, Mr. Pry's words reflect that no resource we commit to 
the defense of our country is more valued and more precious than the 
brave individuals who sacrifice and serve. Admiral Nimitz once said, 
``We [cannot] relax our readiness to defend ourselves. Our armament 
must be adequate to the needs, but our faith is not primarily in these 
machines of defense but in ourselves''. This was especially true of the 
brave crew of the South Dakota. To the American people, BB-57 became 
known as the famed ``Battleship X'', the flagship of Adm. Chester W. 
Nimitz's Third Fleet during World War II.
  When the call to duty went out following the attack on Pearl Harbor, 
the crew of the South Dakota answered with valiant service. The South 
Dakota became the most decorated battleship of World War II. She 
participated in 9 major shore bombardments and shot down 64 enemy 
aircraft. Collectively, the crew of the South Dakota endured many 
battles and earned several distinguished awards, including the Navy 
Unit Commendation, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 13 battle 
stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service 
Medal.
  On October 26, 1942, the South Dakota entered its first major battle 
with a green crew on deck. She was attacked by 180 enemy bombers in 
what is now known as the Battle of Santa Cruz Island. Defending both 
the Enterprise and Hornet aircraft carriers, the South Dakota 
boldly exchanged gunfire and shot down an unprecedented 30 enemy 
aircraft, rendering 2 enemy aircraft carriers inoperative. Through 
repeated bombardments and heavy fire, only 1 bomb out of 23 struck the 
South Dakota. For their valiant actions and enduring perseverance, 
Captain Gatch was decorated with the Navy Cross, the crew was presented 
with the Navy Unit Commendation, and the South Dakota received the 
first of 13 battle stars. There is no question that BB-57 was 
instrumental in our winning the naval war in the Pacific, thus 
protecting many of the freedoms we and countless others around the 
world enjoy today.

  The name South Dakota is important in the history of World War II, 
not just in terms of naval heroism, but also heroism by South Dakotans 
on the homefront and the front lines. The State of South Dakota has a 
long history of strong support for the protection of our national 
security interests. Ten percent of the population of South Dakota, 
74,100 individuals, are veterans. Of those, 20,100 served our country 
during World War II. Our veterans are representative of South Dakota's 
ardent commitment to serving our Nation in times of peace and war.
  However, families who stayed at home also contributed to and 
supported the war effort. South Dakotans young and old dug deep into 
their pockets and piggy banks to keep American troops armed, fed, and 
clothed. During eight national fundraising campaigns, South Dakota 
exceeded its quotas. South Dakota consistently ranked first or second 
in the per capita sale of the Series ``E'' war bonds, known as the 
people's bonds. South Dakota raised $111.5 million from the sale of 
people's bonds--that is $173 for every South Dakota man, woman, and 
child. I am proud to hail from a State that stands for such sacrifice 
and service.
  Mr. President, On January 31, 1947, the South Dakota was 
decommissioned and sold as scrap metal for $466,425. The mainmast and 
stubs of the 16-inch gun were saved from salvage and stand as a 
memorial in Sioux Falls to commemorate those who served aboard BB-57. 
The crew of the South Dakota and their descendants gather in Sioux 
Falls every 2 years to reminisce and offer their respects to those who 
served our country in war.
  It would be appropriate for the first of our next generation of 
attack submarines--the latest example of naval technological 
innovation--to carry the name of America's most decorated battleship, 
the South Dakota. NSSN will represent the next generation of undersea 
superiority. NSSN will have increased flexibility, maneuverability and 
armaments. If the NSSN is named South Dakota, it will carry the history 
of days ago.
  My resolution honors the memory of those associated with the name 
South Dakota, whether it be the designers of the previous South Dakota 
class ships, the veterans who served aboard the BB-57, or the thousands 
of South Dakotans who unfailingly have answered the call to serve our 
country. I hope my colleagues will join me in furthering the tradition 
of the South Dakota by joining as sponsors of this resolution.

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