[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE USS ``PLATTE''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the USS Platte 
(AO-24) Navy Ship. On this day, the bell from the ship will be 
permanently loaned to the Platte County-KCI Area Convention and 
Visitors Bureau and the Platte County commission for display. Platte 
County has worked very hard to honor the service and the memory of the 
ship and those who served on board.
  The USS Platte was built by the Bethlehem Steel Company in Baltimore, 
Maryland and commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia on December 1, 1939. On 
March 27, 1940, the ship was sent out to support the Panama Canal Zone 
fleet. After its service to this fleet, the USS Platte was reassigned 
to the base at San Pedro, California and carried liquid cargo, 
passengers and freight to and from Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, 
during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Platte was fortunately 
stationed in San Pedro. The USS Platte continued its service and on 
January 11, 1942 was assigned as a fueling ship for the Carrier Task 
Force Eight, which comprised of ships including the Aircraft Carrier 
Enterprise, flagship of Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.
  Subsequently, the USS Platte served in World War II supporting the 
U.S. Pacific Fleet in the Coral Sea, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, 
Western Aleutians, Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Marianas Islands 
and the Philippine Islands. Additionally, the USS Platte provided 
logistical support during the Korean and Vietnam wars and refueled the 
aircraft Carrier Enterprise task force group off the Korean shore 
during the Pueblo crisis. For its service, the ship received eleven 
battle stars for World War II and 6 battle stars for Korean war 
service.
  On May 17, 2002, the County Commission of Platte County, Missouri 
recognized the outstanding accomplishments and achievements of the USS 
Platte by hosting USS Platte veterans, families, and friends to declare 
the day as USS Platte Day for Platte County, Missouri.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending the USS 
Platte, the men who served this great ship, and the Platte County 
Commission for their efforts in remembering this important ship and its 
many missions.

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