[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING EXERCISE TIGER FOUNDATION

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                         HON. KENNY C. HULSHOF

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished group 
of Americans. On November 14, 2003 the Exercise Tiger Foundation held 
its National Adopt a Serviceman Program in Jefferson City. It is 
essential that we take a moment to remember not only the sacrifice of 
veterans of Exercise Tiger, but also those men and women currently 
serving our Nation in the military. Allow me, Mr. Speaker, to take a 
moment to remind all of us of the story of Exercise Tiger during the 
Second World War.
  Unfortunately, for many people, the words ``Exercise Tiger'' hold no 
special significance. Few know of the sacrifice made by so many in late 
August of 1944. At its outset, Exercise Tiger was one of several 
training exercises conducted to prepare American and British troops for 
the upcoming invasion of Normandy. Concentrated on a beach near Dover, 
England, these operations were meant to prepare the raw recruits for 
combat, not provide them their first taste of war.
  In the calm, early morning hours of April 28, 1944, tragedy struck. 
As eight Navy landing ships, or LST's, and their lone escort approached 
their landing area, nine German U-Boats patrolling the English Channel 
attacked. LST-507 was the first ship to be torpedoed; it quickly caught 
fire and survivors abandoned ship. Moments later, LST-531 was hit and 
sank within 6 minutes. The American ships quickly regrouped and 
returned fire, with LST-289 suffering significant casualties.
  In a moment, the green American recruits became battle-tested 
veterans. Out of a 4,000 man force, nearly one-quarter were either 
missing or dead. While the heroism of the American troops under heavy 
enemy fire deserves high praise, the men who participated in Exercise 
Tiger had a job to do--practice landing operations resumed the very 
next day, April 29, 1944.
  In most cases, the casualty information and details surrounding the 
mission would have been made public within days or even hours of the 
attack. With Exercise Tiger, however, this information was not released 
until after the D-Day invasion. This was necessary to keep the German 
military from learning about the impending invasion of mainland Europe.
  As the world now knows, the allied invasion of Europe on D-Day was a 
success. Unfortunately, those who helped make D-Day possible have not 
been properly recognized for their sacrifice. This too, must change. We 
must take it upon ourselves to ensure that the virtues those who served 
in Exercise Tiger--courage, humility and steadfast devotion to 
completing the task at hand--remembered and documented for future 
generations.
  As such, it is only appropriate that the Exercise Tiger Foundation 
has nominated eight members from various branches of the active and 
reserve forces as part of the National Adopt a Serviceman Program. This 
year's honorees are Staff Sergeant Patrick Reed, 1107th AVCAD, Missouri 
Army Reserve National Guard, Command Sergeant Gary L. Murphy, 139th 
Security Forces Squadron, U.S. Air National Guard, Master Sergeant 
Robert A. Jackson, 442nd Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Staff 
Sergeant Billy Jack Roberts, 509th Bomb Wing, U.S. Air Force, Petty 
Officer 2nd Class Yancy Woodard, Staff Sergeant Matthew Beadle, U.S. 
Marine Corps, Sergeant Dennis Payne, 110th Engineers, Missouri Army 
Reserve National Guard, and Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Kristian Sova, 
U.S. Coast Guard. Without a doubt, their exemplary service to our 
Nation honors the example of those who came before them.
  These individuals certainly deserve our recognition and support as 
they continue to defend our freedom both here and abroad. We stand 
united behind them, and united behind the freedom our Nation 
guarantees. May God continue to bless this Nation as well as all of 
those men and women who have served in uniform.

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