[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF THE MEMBERS OF THE STRATEGIC TECHNICAL DIRECTORATE 
                     COMMANDOS FAMILY TORRANCE, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2001

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to a very 
extraordinary group of members who are being commemorated for the 
Presidential Unit Citation. These heroic members of the Strategic 
Technical Directorate Commandos Family passionately and diligently 
sacrificed their lives for ``life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
happiness'' for the people of Southeast Asia.
  During the Vietnam War, the people of Southeast Asia and the fighting 
soldiers of the United States faced many challenges that jeopardized 
their lives. But in 1964, the Strategic Technical Directorate (the U.S. 
joint services command) was created to help the U.S. and Southeastern 
Asian soldiers to fight for freedom. The Strategic Technical 
Directorate included the best selected group of officers. The members 
showed their intelligence, commitment, and bravery in combat. They 
selflessly risked their own lives in hopeless situations to save 
others. For example, in 1974, the North Vietnamese Army attacked the 
city of Phuoc Long. 250 Airborne Rangers came to the rescue, but they 
faced brutal assaults from the North Vietnamese Army and lost contact 
with the Strategic Technical Directorate. After a four-day search, the 
Strategic Technical Directorate found only 50 percent of their 
surviving members in the city. Another example is during April 1975. 
The Strategic Technical Directorate's Special Missions Services went to 
the city of Phan Rang, where the North Vietnamese were attacking the 
city. 100 of their additional commandos were captured by the North 
Vietnamese Army. Then the remaining Strategic Technical Directorate 
units went to defend Saigon. By the final days of April, the North 
Vietnamese Army surrounded the capital. The Strategic Technical 
Directorate did not give up. 500 SMS commandos, the headquarters 
personnel, and the Liaison Service barged in and fought until 
capitulation on April 30. These two examples prove how the members of 
STD risked their lives and put 100 percent of their diligence and 
commitment in winning the freedom for Southeast Asia.
  The members of the Strategic Technical Directorate Commandos Family 
will not be forgotten, but be remembered and honored, for their 
survival, courage, and dedication in fighting for ``life, liberty, and 
the pursuit of happiness.'' They risked their lives to help the people 
of Southeast Asia because they were in danger and had their human 
rights taken away. I ask you to join me today in recognizing these 
heroic figures who proved to us the meaning of bravery and diligence.

                          ____________________