[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 140 (Monday, October 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE DISTINGUISHED HEROES OF THE 1944 ATTACK ON THE U.S.S. 
                                LANSDALE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 30, 2000

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize a group of 
twenty distinguished American World War II veterans, the survivors of 
the U.S.S. Lansdale. Fifty-six and a half years ago, on April 20, 1944, 
these fine heroes survived the tragic German aerial torpedo attack that 
sank the U.S.S. Lansdale.
  I join the survivors in honoring the memory of the forty-seven crew 
members who sacrificed their lives that fateful day. They will all be 
remembered at the World War II Memorial, where construction is 
scheduled to begin Saturday, November 11, 2000.
  The U.S.S. Lansdale was on convoy duty protecting ships transporting 
men and materials to the Italian campaign when a group of German 
warplanes attacked off the Algerian coast. The ship was nearly split in 
half by the second torpedo fired after dodging the first one. The Coast 
Guard was able to rescue 235 survivors from the surrounding waters. 
Among these men was my very dear friend and long time New York County 
District Attorney, the Honorable Robert J. Morgethau, who served as the 
Lansdale's Executive Officer and Navigator.
  It is with great pride that I acknowledge this group of Americans who 
demonstrated tremendous courage and commitment to our fine nation. 
Their legacy, both to our country and to the protection of democracy 
the world over, will not be forgotten. Please join me in my praise of 
the following gentlemen who will convene here in Washington over 
Veterans Day weekend for the World War II Memorial ground breaking 
ceremony:
  Edward S. Brookes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  Alvin S. Caplan of New Orleans, Louisiana.
  Mr. Rod Dugger of Milton, Florida.
  Angelo Di Palma of Providence, Rhode Island.
  Robert Dott of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  John L. Eden of Abingdon, Virginia.
  Marshall Geller of Ocean Hills, California.
  Peter P. Jannotti of Jacksonville, Florida.
  Al Macklin of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
  Raymond A. Miller of Watertown, Massachusetts.
  Ben Montenegro of Ashland, Massachusetts.
  Robert M. Morgenthau of New York, New York.
  John A. Peterson of Seaside Park, New Jersey.
  Edward Rubinstein of Sun Lakes, Arizona.
  George Shanabrough of Dallastown, Pennsylvania.
  George T. Sinclair of Norfolk, Virginia.
  Peter J. Soler of Cicero, New York.
  John Tweedie of Horse Shore, North Carolina.
  Philip Waldron of Lexington, Massachusetts.
  Charles C. Wales of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

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