[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E638-E639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF COL. AARON BANK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I inform the House 
of the passing of Colonel (Retired) Aaron Bank earlier this month.
  Colonel Bank, who was known as ``the father of the United States 
Army's Special Forces'' for his role in creating the unconventional 
warfare units that became known as the Green Berets, died of natural 
causes on April 1 at his home in Dana Point, CA. He was 101.
  Colonel Bank, a native of New York City and fluent in both French and 
German, entered the Army in 1939. During World War II, he volunteered 
for the extremely hazardous duty of working behind enemy lines with the 
French Resistance and guerrilla forces as a member of the famous 
Jedburgh Teams. Often posing as civilians, he and his three-man team 
helped organize a guerrilla force of up to 2,000 men and women and led 
them on numerous hit-and-run missions throughout Nazi-occupied France.
  Colonel Bank remained in the Army after the war and became an 
advocate for special operations units that could do the type of work 
carried out by the O.S.S. While serving with a combat unit in the 
Korean War in 1951, he was called back to Washington to work on the 
creation of guerrilla-style units within the United States Army. COL 
Bank's personal diligence was rewarded when the Army approved the 
special operations concept, and the 10th Special Forces Group 
(Airborne) was subsequently activated on June 19, 1952, under his 
personal leadership.
  Special Forces, who first gained prominence while serving in Vietnam 
with their distinctive

[[Page E639]]

green berets, are today deployed throughout the world working side-by-
side with indigenous forces to combat global terrorism. America has 
such a capability because of this one man's vision and undaunted drive 
for excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, our Special Operations Forces are among the best 
warriors this country has ever produced, and Colonel Aaron Bank stood 
at the forefront of that group. I am sure my fellow Members will join 
me in extending heartfelt condolences to his family, and in recognizing 
this great American for the service he offered his country. He was 
truly the quiet professional.

                          ____________________