[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E643-E644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         BATTLESHIP RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SONNY CALLAHAN

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 1999

  Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Speaker, the esteemed crew of the battleship U.S.S. 
Alabama will hold their annual reunion in the city of Mobile, Alabama, 
during the third week in April. I would like to take this opportunity 
to express to these men the undying appreciation which their fellow 
Americans share for their proud service to our nation and the world.
  The U.S.S. Alabama, a South Dakota class battleship, was built in the 
Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. Following her 
commission on August 16, 1942, she was dispatched to the North Atlantic 
Ocean, where she and her crew proudly assisted the British Fleet in 
protecting convoys on the treacherous ``Murmansk Run,'' which carried 
them from England through the North Sea to Russia, and brought the 
defending fleet into conflict with German warships and aircraft in 
occupied Norway.
  After completing her service with the British Fleet, the U.S.S. 
Alabama was transferred to the Pacific Fleet. Her charge on the Eastern 
Front of the War was to provide invaluable support to U.S. ground 
troops, enabling them

[[Page E644]]

to successfully take the Caroline, Gilbert, Marianas, Marshall, and 
Philippine Islands, as well as Palau, New Guinea and Okinawa from the 
Japanese.
  The distinguished service of the crew of the U.S.S. Alabama includes 
numerous proud honors and achievements.
  During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, her radar was the first to 
detect the approach of enemy bombers, 476 of which were downed by the 
American fighters and fleet gunners. During her tenure in the American 
Fleet, the U.S.S. Alabama was directly responsible for the elimination 
of 22 Japanese airplanes.
  By the time of the Japanese surrender, she had earned the American 
Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Medal, the Asiatic-
Pacific Campaign Medal with 9 Battle Stars, the Philippine Republic 
Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the World 
War II Victory Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal.
  Her crew had proven themselves among the most courageous of the 
Allied fighting men, having faced the most fearsome opposition that the 
Axis forces had to offer as they defended the world against both Asian 
and European tyranny. In honor of these heroic Americans, I introduced 
H. Res. 123, which would immortalize their gallant contribution to 
liberty in our nation and the world.

                               Resolution

       Recognizing and honoring the crewmembers of the U.S.S. 
     ALABAMA (BB-60) and the U.S.S. ALABAMA Crewmen's Association.
       Whereas the U.S.S. ALABAMA (BB-60) was a South Dakota class 
     battleship that served first in the North Atlantic and then 
     in the Pacific Fleet during World War II;
       Whereas in the course of World War II, the crewmembers of 
     the U.S.S. ALABAMA directly shot down 22 enemy aircraft;
       Whereas the crewmembers of the U.S.S. ALABAMA earned the 
     American Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern 
     Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 9 Battle 
     Stars, the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, 
     the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the World War II Victory 
     Medal, and the Naval Occupation Service Medal;
       Whereas the crewmembers of the U.S.S. ALABAMA were a 
     courageous group, braving both the Arctic chill and the 
     Pacific heat to help defend the Nation against enemy 
     oppression;
       Whereas many former crewmembers of the U.S.S. ALABAMA 
     belong to the U.S.S. ALABAMA Crewmen's Association;
       Whereas each year the former crewmembers participate in an 
     annual reunion to celebrate their shared service, memories, 
     and friendship; and
       Whereas more than 100 former crewmembers, along with family 
     and friends, are expected to participate in the next reunion, 
     which will be held from April 15 to 18, 1999, aboard the 
     U.S.S. ALABAMA at the Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, 
     Alabama; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and 
     honors the crewmembers of the U.S.S. ALABAMA (BB-60) and the 
     U.S.S. ALABAMA Crewmen's Association for their valuable 
     contributions to victory and peace in World War II and to the 
     security and prosperity of the Nation.

  Mr. Speaker, the valuable contributions to victory and peace in World 
War II made by the crewmen of the U.S.S. Alabama are exemplary of the 
tenacity which has made the United States the proud world leader it is 
today. I ask that you join me in honoring these brave Americans, and in 
thanking them for their sacrifices and dedication.

                          ____________________