[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9440-S9441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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COMMEMORATING THE BRAVERY OF THE 168th ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the
valor and courage of the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion, which
celebrates the unveiling of its commemorative monument at Fort Devens,
MA, later this month. During World War II, the 168th Engineer Combat
Battalion was composed entirely of New Englanders, many of them
residents of the State I have the good fortune to represent in this
body: the great State of Maine. This brave group of soldiers defended
freedom and democracy from the will of tyranny in the darkest days of
World War II and the Vietnam conflict. As they reunite to remember
their success and pay homage to their fallen comrades, I'd like to take
a moment today to remember the unit's heroism.
Mr. President, any retelling of the pivotal events of the Second
World War in Europe must include the deeds of the 168th. They were
there with General Patton in July 1944 when the Allies landed on the
beaches of Normandy as part of the D-day Invasion. For 10 hard but
glorious months thereafter, the 168th provided the American ground
forces in Europe with invaluable logistic support and an iron will that
was crucial in turning back the ruthless advance of the Nazis across
Europe.
Perhaps no single mission depicts the heroism, bravery, and grit of
the 168th more clearly than its performance in the Ardennes offensive,
also known as the Battle of the Bulge. When the forces of Hitler
launched their desperate, last-ditch offensive into the heart of the
Allied line during the winter of 1944, the 168th displayed the
resiliency and courage for which it has come to be known. In hopes of
fracturing the Allied line into its American and British components,
the Nazi Army focused all of its lethal energy on breaking through the
Allied line in Belgium. However, in doing so, the Nazis ran into the
168th, and the 168th stood fast. With their defiant stand at St. Vith,
Belgium, the 168th was able to slow the Nazi assault and then provide
the larger American force with the logistical support necessary to
repel the Nazi war machine once and for all.
In remaining at St. Vith, the 168th endured the loss of half its
personnel to casualty or Nazi apprehension. Yet, with the loss of every
comrade, the depleted 168th exhibited even firmer resolve to drive the
Nazis back across the line. They did so for each other, and they did so
for America. But most of all, they refused to succumb to the Nazis
because at that moment, the cause of freedom depended upon them. For
its valor in battle and efficiency in duty, the 168th was deservingly
awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation by the U.S. Army. The 168th was
also awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre, which was given to foreign
forces by the Belgian Government for the defense of its nation during
World War II.
As if the heroics of the 168th in World War II were not enough, it
also served with distinction during the Vietnam conflict, 20 years
later. Faced with the daunting task of establishing logistical lines of
support in the harrowing jungles of Southeast Asia, the 168th again
performed its tasks masterfully under heavy fire. For its repeated acts
of bravery, the 168th received the Valorous Unit Citation and the
Meritorious Unit Citation, and in doing so, reaffirmed its status as an
elite unit of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Mr. President, as the remaining members of the 168th gather to unveil
their monument at Fort Devens, I think it is appropriate that we all
remember the intrepid nature displayed again and again by the members
of the 168th when they were most needed. Whether they were ordered to
forge roadways and cross rivers in the snowy countryside of Western
Europe, or devise ways to destroy the vast tunnel systems underneath
the steamy jungles of Southeast Asia, the 168th has performed its
duties with honor and distinction. It is due to the heroism and
sacrifice of people like the members of the 168th Engineer Combat
Battalion that Americans enjoy the fruits of freedom today, and for
that, we all owe them a deep and heartfelt debt of gratitude.
In honor of the contributions made by the 168th in the defense of
freedom, I ask that the declarations honoring the 168th Engineer Combat
Battalion made by the Governors of Maine and Massachusetts, as well as
the Corps of Engineers poem be placed in the
[[Page S9441]]
Record in their entirety to commemorate the unveiling of the 168th
Engineer Combat Battalion later this month.
The material follows:
Proclamation--State of Maine
Whereas, the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion was activated
in 1943, consisting of a large number of New England
residents, many from Maine and Massachusetts; and
Whereas, since 1943, the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion
has served with distinction in both World War II and the
Vietnam War, earning five distinguished battle honors; and
Whereas, during the Battle of the Bulge, the 168th Engineer
Combat Battalion held its position at St. Vith, Belgium from
December 16 through December 23, 1944, and stopped the German
thrust through the Ardennes; and
Whereas, following the Battle of the Bulge, the 168th
Engineer Combat Battalion was awarded the Distinguished Unit
Citation for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy,
and the Belgian Croix de Guerre for outstanding gallantry,
heroic action, and bravery in the face of enemy action; and
Whereas, during the Vietnam War, the 168th Engineer Combat
Battalion again served with distinction and was awarded the
Valorous Unit Citation for heroic combat action on or after
August 3, 1963, the Meritorious Unit Citation for outstanding
service during a period of combat, and the Republic of
Vietnam Civil Award for meritorious service and outstanding
accomplishments over and above the call of duty; and
Whereas, it is appropriate that all Maine citizens
recognize and honor the outstanding dedication, sacrifice,
and tradition of the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion,
Now, therefore, I, Angus S. King, Jr., Governor of the
State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of December 16-
23, 1995 as the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion Days of
Honor, throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens
to recognize the many accomplishments of the 168th Engineer
Combat Battalion.
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Proclamation--Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Whereas, the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion was activated
in 1943, consisting of a large number of New England
residents, many from Maine and Massachusetts; and
Whereas, since 1943, the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion
has served with distinction in both World War II and the
Vietnam War, earning five distinguished battle honors; and
Whereas, during the Battle of the Bulge, the 168th Engineer
Combat Battalion held its position at St. Vith, Belgium from
December 16 through December 23, 1944, and stopped the German
thrust through the Ardennes; and
Whereas, following the Battle of the Bulge, the 168th
Engineer Combat Battalion was awarded the Distinguished Unit
Citation for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy,
and the Belgian Croix de Guerre for outstanding gallantry,
heroic action, and bravery in the face of enemy action; and
Whereas, during the Vietnam War, the 168th Engineer Combat
Battalion again served with distinction and was awarded the
Valorous Unit Citation for heroic combat action on or after
August 3, 1963, the Meritorious Unit Citation for outstanding
service during a period of combat, and the Republic of
Vietnam Civil Award for meritorious service and outstanding
accomplishments over and above the call of duty; and
Whereas, 1994 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the 168th
Engineer Combat Battalion's distinguished service during the
Battle of the Bulge; and
Whereas, it is appropriate that all Massachusetts citizens
recognize and honor the outstanding dedication, sacrifice,
and tradition of the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion;
Now, therefore, I, William F. Weld, Governor of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim December
16th through December 23rd, 1994, as the 168th Engineer
Combat Battalion Days of Honor, and urge all the citizens of
the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and
participate fittingly in its observance.
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Corps of Engineers
(Author unknown, Korea, 1951)
They have a song about the Army, the Navy, and the Marines
They've got one for the Air Force, in fact the whole darn
works, it seems
But they have never taken the trouble, though we have served
them for years
To every write a poem, for the Corps of Engineers
We build the roads and airfields, their pipe lines and their
camps
From underground munition dumps to concrete landing ramps
Railroads, dams and bridges, electric power lines
Canals, docks and harbors, even coal and iron mines
But the engineers aren't kicking, for when the Army is moving
in:
We know it's just another place where we've already been
Before the Army got there, we had to break the ground
And build it all to suit their needs, solid safe, and sound
If the Army and Navy ever look on heavens scenes
They will find the streets guarded by the United States
Marines
Who will guard the streets up there, we aren't disposed to
say
But we offer this suggestion, if they look at a thing that
way
When the Marines have taken over on the land that has no
years
They will find it was designed by the Corps of Engineers.
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