[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

                                 ______
                                 

    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.
                                                                    ____


              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.
                                                                    ____


                           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.

                          ____________________