[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE TRAGEDY OF THE S.S. ``LEOPOLDVILLE''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RONNIE SHOWS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 1999

  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to take a minute to tell 
my colleagues and the American People about a pitch-black night on 
Christmas Eve in 1944 during one of the darkest hours of World War II. 
A Belgian troop transport, the S.S. Leopoldville, was sunk by a German 
U-Boat, taking the lives of 802 American soldiers. The Leopoldville was 
part of a crossing of the English Channel for the Battle of the Bulge. 
2,235 American Soldiers were being carried to this historic battle.
  The Leopoldville was torpedoed and sunk 5\1/2\ miles from Cherbourg, 
France. The result was a horrific loss of lives--almost one-third of 
the 66th Infantry Division was killed. 493 bodies were never recovered 
from the cold and murky waters of the English Channel. Most of the 
soldiers who died were young Americans, from 18 to 20 years old, barely 
out of High School. These young men came from 46 out of the 48 states 
that were part of the Union at that time.
  Sadly, this tragic story has been a mere footnote in the history 
books of World War II. Their efforts to preserve and sustain Democracy 
must be remembered. Their lives must not be vainly forgotten.
  Today, I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in 
remembering and honoring those who gave their lives that we might be 
free today. The young men aboard the S.S. Leopoldville, those who 
perished and those who survived, were part of an American force that 
advanced Democracy and forever changed the world. They went because 
their country called. They sacrificed because their way of life was 
threatened. They rose to incredible heights of courage because their 
faith and resolve mandated no less.
  My friend and fellow-Mississippian, Sid Spiro, was on the S.S. 
Leopoldville. Mr. Spiro, after the direct torpedo hit, lowered himself 
in the freezing water by a rope. And for three hours he floated and 
waited for help. The water was freezing and he nearly died. He was 19 
years old then. Today, he and other survivors often gather to remember 
and commemorate their fellow Americans who died. I am in awe of these 
men. And I want Sid and all of them to know of my admiration and 
respect.
  These young men, forever part of our national memory, must be 
honored. We must never forget. I salute the survivors of the S.S. 
Leopoldville and I honor the memory of those who gave their lives.

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