[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 108 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING THE MEN OF C COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION 5TH MARINE REGIMENT, 1ST 
                            MARINE DIVISION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2000

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the men of C Company, 1st 
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division for the combat 
action they valiantly fought on April 5, 1947, near the village of 
HsinHo in North China.
  Mr. Speaker, not many Americans remember that we sent the Marines 
into China in the aftermath of World War II to disarm the Japanese 
forces there, protect them from reprisals, relieve them from their 
garrisons and to ensure that the large quantity of Japanese weapons 
cached there did not fall into communist hands. C Company was literally 
on the front line of this effort. The Company was attacked during the 
early morning of April 5th by a group of Chairman Mao's fighters who 
were intent on capturing the weapons cached at HsinHo and overrunning 
the Marines there.
  With a force estimated at over 300 men, the communists hit upon a 
lightly guarded outpost with a defense system designed to fight off an 
attack until reinforcements arrived. Under heavy fire, these Marines 
pursued this group of communist raiders for over eight miles. As the 
Commandant of the Marine Corps declared in 1998, the actions of C 
Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment were indeed ``gallant deeds 
of brave Marines . . . and a shining example of honor and commitment.''
  When the dust had settled on that little hamlet in north China, 
America had lost five Marines killed in action and suffered 18 wounded. 
Mr. Chairman, a grateful nation will remember our Marines in World War 
II. We need to remember and honor those who fought and died for this 
country. The survivors of C Company have for years attempted to get 
official recognition for their Company in addition to the China Service 
Medal, Purple Hearts and Bronze and Silver Star medals awarded 
individually to members of C Company. I think this recognition is long 
overdue. I rise today to declare that the C-1-5 China Marines are to be 
commended as a unit for their actions of April 5th, 1947.

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