[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO THE 864TH HAM COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join 
me to pay tribute to the members of the Third Army veterans 864th Heavy 
Automotive Maintenance Company on the occasion of their 48th annual 
reunion. They gathered together in Lapeer, Michigan on August 31st.
  During World War II the 864th HAM Company was instrumental to the 
success of D-Day and the allied victory. These veterans of the Third 
Army were originally stationed at Fort Ord in California. During their 
stint at that post they worked with local authorities to defend the 
California coastline against a possible invasion by Japanese forces. 
The mobilization of troops during the first days of World War II was 
very rapid and troops were often barracked in makeshift quarters. The 
864th HAM Company was no exception. When the Company was detailed to 
the community of Pomona California they were provided temporary 
barracks at the Sears and Roebuck store.
  In 1943 the Company was transported from the United States to the 
South Hampton Naval Yard outside Portsmouth, England. For the next 
eight months the 864th HAM Company prepared the vehicles that were 
going to be a part of the D-Day invasion. In addition to this work they 
also trained as part of the invasion force.
  The Company landed at St. Mere-Eglise France and immediately began 
the awesome task of supplying rations, ammunition, and medical supplies 
to the front lines. Under the leadership of General George S. Patton, 
the statistics for the Third Army during this time are staggering. 
2,186,792 tons of supplies were transported. The Third Army had over 
99,000 general purpose vehicles and over 21,000 combat vehicles. The 
veterans of the 864th HAM Company risked their lives to retrieve and 
repair damaged vehicles. Never shying away from the danger involved, 
the members of the 864th HAM Company were an integral part of General 
Patton's march to Berlin. Their versatility was demonstrated during the 
Battle of the Bulge as they quickly moved from Verderonne to help repel 
the German counter-attack.
  Once the war in Europe ended, the 864th came home and were mustered 
out of the military in November 1945. As the members of the company 
scattered throughout the United States and began their civilian lives, 
they maintained contact with each other. In 1957 they gathered together 
for the first reunion and the tradition of getting together to remember 
their fallen fellow soldiers, to reminisce, and share the civilian 
experiences was born. We as a nation are better for the sacrifices 
these veterans made so we could all be free. I ask the House of 
Representatives to rise with me today and honor the members of the 
864th HAM Company. Again and again they have earned our respect and 
admiration and I am deeply grateful for their service to our country.

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