[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A SALUTE TO PFC JAMES W. REESE OF CHESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 1996

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to 
PFC James W. Reese on the occasion of the rededication of the James W. 
Reese Army Reserve Center.
  PFC James W. Reese, a native son of Chester, PA, and Delaware County 
Congressional Medal of Honor winner, was born April 16, 1920. Bill, as 
he was affectionately referred to by his friends, attended public 
school in Chester, graduating from Chester High School in 1938. 
Entering the service in November 1941, Bill was assigned to the 26th 
Infantry, First Infantry Division stationed in Florida. Bill was with 
the division when they landed in North Africa and crossed the 
Mediterranean to assault the shores of Sicily at midnight on July 9, 
1943. It was there that Bill won his country's highest decoration, the 
Congressional Medal of Honor, as he lost his life fighting bravely 
against heavy enemy odds. His citation reads:

       For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of 
     life, above and beyond the call of duty in action involving 
     actual conflict with the enemy on August 5, 1943 at Mt. 
     Vassillio, Sicily. When the enemy launched a counterattack 
     which threatened the position of his company, Private Reese, 
     as Acting Squad Leader of a 60MM mortar squad, displayed 
     superior leadership and on his own initiative, maneuvered his 
     squad forward to a favorable position, from which, by 
     skillfully directing the fire of his weapon, he caused many 
     casualties in the enemy ranks and aided materially in 
     repulsing the counterattack. When the enemy fire became so 
     severe as to make his position untenable, he ordered the 
     other members of his squad to withdraw to a safer position, 
     but declined to seek safety for himself. So as to bring more 
     effective fire upon the enemy, Private Reese, without 
     assistance, moved his mortar to a new position and attacked 
     an enemy machine gun nest. He had only three rounds of 
     ammunition but secured a direct hit with his last round, 
     completely destroying the nest and killing the occupants. 
     Ammunition being exhausted, he abandoned the mortar, seized a 
     rifle and continued to advance, moving into an exposed 
     position overlooking the enemy. Despite a heavy concentration 
     of machine gun, mortar, and artillery fire, the heaviest 
     experienced by his unit throughout the entire Sicilian 
     campaign, he remained at his position and continued to 
     inflict casualties upon the enemy until he, himself was 
     killed. His bravery coupled with his gallant and unswerving 
     determination to close in on the enemy, regardless of the 
     consequences and obstacles which he faced, are a priceless 
     inspiration to our armed forces.

  In light of these brave and unselfish acts in the face of enemy fire, 
I am honored to join the U.S. Army in rededicating this reserve center 
to Bill Reese who represents all of the many heroic service personnel 
both past and present who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that you 
and I may live as free Americans.

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