[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12620-S12621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING THE CREW MEMBERS OF THE U.S. NAVY DESTROYERS OF DESRON 61

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 308, introduced earlier today 
by Senators Dodd and Inouye.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 308) commending the crew members of 
     the U.S. Navy destroyers of Desron 61 for their heroism, 
     intrepidity and skill in action in the only surface 
     engagement occurring inside Tokyo Bay during World War II.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the crews of the

[[Page S12621]]

United States Navy destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 61 who participated 
in the July 22, 1945 surface naval engagement in Tokyo Bay. That night, 
the squadron detached from Admiral Halsey's Task Group 38.1, avoided a 
typhoon, and steamed towards the Japanese mainland. The alert sailors 
of the squadron identified radar contacts that turned out to be a four-
ship Japanese convoy. The squadron commander maneuvered his destroyers 
on various courses and attacked the convoy with gunfire and torpedoes. 
At the conclusion of the daring surface engagement, two enemy ships had 
been sunk, one probably sunk, and one damaged. United States forces 
suffered neither damage nor casualties. The nine destroyers of the 
squadron were: U.S.S. DeHaven, U.S.S. Mansfield, U.S.S. Swenson, U.S.S. 
Collett, U.S.S. Maddox, U.S.S. Blue, U.S.S. Brush, U.S.S. Taussig, and 
U.S.S. Moore. The sailors who manned those destroyers during this 
unprecedented operation are deserving of this nation's deepest 
gratitude, and I hope that my colleagues will join me in this small act 
of recognition.
  Mr. CRAIG. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble 
be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, 
and that any statement relating thereto be printed in the Record as if 
read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 308) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 308

       Whereas DesRon 61, a group of nine United States destroyers 
     composed of the U.S.S. DeHaven (DD 727), U.S.S. Mansfield (DD 
     728), U.S.S. Swenson (DD 729), U.S.S. Collett (DD 730), 
     U.S.S. Maddox (DD 731), U.S.S. Blue (DD 744) U.S.S. Brush (DD 
     745) U.S.S. Taussig (DD 746) and U.S.S. Moore (DD 747), and 
     commanded by Captain T.H. Hederman, penetrated Tokyo Bay, 
     Japan, on rough seas and at night;
       Whereas, although surrounded in darkness, the vigilant and 
     intrepid members of the crews of the United States destroyers 
     were able to detect a Japanese convey attempting to sneak out 
     of Tokyo Bay along the coastline, engage and defeat the 
     heavily-armed warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy 
     escorting the convoy, and subdue the convoy; and
       Whereas the victory was gained without the loss of a single 
     sailor or ship: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate, on behalf of the people of the 
     United States commends the members of the crews of the United 
     States Navy destroyers of DesRon 61 who participated in the 
     July 22, 1945, surface naval engagement in Tokyo Bay for 
     their heroism, intrepidity, and skill in battle that 
     contributed to the defeat of Japanese forces in World War II.

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. McConnell). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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