[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE WORLD WAR II VETERANS OF ``IVORY SOAP''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize some 5,000 
World War II veterans of ``Ivory Soap,'' a most unusual team of Army 
Air Forces, Navy Armed Guards, and civilian Merchant Marines who have 
gone unrecognized for 53 years for their contributions in bringing 
peace to the Pacific war. During 1944 and 1945, they served aboard 24 
specially modified Liberty and auxiliary ships that operated as 
floating aircraft depot repair and maintenance shops. These supported 
our bomber and fighter forces on the front line of battle during the 
pacific island hopping campaigns.
  Hundreds of B-29 bombers and P-51 fighters returned to battle to 
fight again because of these depot and maintenance ships. This is 
another one of the never-told stories out of the dust vaults of 
declassified secret records. This story was uncovered by one of the 
ship's crew seeking his comrades for a reunion. Only in the last few 
years have these documents been released to the public.
  The project's code word was ``Ivory Soap,'' appropriately selected, 
because ``it floats.'' This effort was so important to our air war in 
the Pacific that the Joint Chiefs of Staff were directly involved in 
its development. Because of the secret classification and the dispersal 
among the islands of these ships, few of the veterans ever knew of the 
extent and effectiveness of their tasks.
  Now that the word is out, a group of veterans from the ships have 
begun a search to find their shipmates so they may hold combined 
reunions to share their pride in being part of this special project.
  A combined reunion began today in Washington, D.C., and will run 
until October 11, 1998. The surviving veterans' ages run from their 70s 
to their 90s. I extend my best wishes and salute our heroes for their 
contributions and service to this great country. May the reunion 
brighten their spirits and bring together their comrades to renew old 
frienships.

                          ____________________