[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E59]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN APPRECIATION FOR SHARING AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY

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                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2003

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an individual 
from my district who has lived an extraordinary life and is now working 
to share the stories of his incredible experiences during the Second 
World War.
  Growing up on his family's small Missouri farm during the Depression, 
Fred Randle become well acquainted with hardship and adversity. One of 
the first members of his family to graduate high school, Fred was 
looking forward to earning a steady living and beginning a new life 
with his new bride when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The young 
man immediately enlisted in the United States Army, unaware of the 
unique role he would play in determining the outcome of World War II.
  During the Quebec Conference of 1943, President Franklin D. 
Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of England, and other 
allied leaders conceived the idea of having an American ground unit 
spearhead the Chinese Army with a Long Range Penetration Mission behind 
enemy lines in Burma. Its goal would be the destruction of Japanese 
communications and supply lines and generally to play havoc with enemy 
forces while an attempt was made to reopen the Burma Road.
  A Presidential call for volunteers for ``A Dangerous and Hazardous 
Mission'' was issued, and approximately 2,900 American soldiers 
responded to the call, including Fred Randle. The unit later became 
popularly known as Merrill's Marauders, named after its leader, 
Brigadier General Frank Merrill.
  Shortly after completing basic training at the age of 21. Randle and 
the Marauders embarked on their mission. During a rendezvous with other 
ships in the Mediterranean, about 30 German bombers attacked the convoy 
without success. Fifteen minutes later, a smaller group of planes 
arrived and one released a guided missile that struck the side of the 
HMT Rohna. Witnesses watched the total destruction of the boat with its 
1,600 Americans aboard. Fewer than 600 survived.
  Fred Randle was among those 600 survivors, and despite the loss of 
his fellow soldiers, he continued on to ensure the success of the 
Marauders' mission. I find Randle's wartime experiences truly 
inspiring, and I salute him for his eagerness to share his story with 
younger generations so they may understand what it is like to fight for 
your country, even when faced with unbelievable setbacks. Fred Randle 
is truly part of America's greatest generation, and his sacrifices and 
contribution to our country are among the reasons we remain free today.

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