[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H3902-H3904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE MEMBERS OF THE ARMY MOTOR TRANSPORT SERVICE THAT SERVED
DURING WORLD WAR II FOR THEIR SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE ALLIED
ADVANCE FOLLOWING THE D-DAY INVASION
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 439) honoring the members of the
Army Motor Transport Service that served during World War II and
participated in the trucking operation known as the Red Ball Express
for their service and contribution to the Allied advance following the
D-Day invasion, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 439
Whereas June 6, 2004, the 60th anniversary of the World War
II D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, was observed by
Americans with numerous commemorations of the sacrifices of
those who fought to preserve the liberty and freedom of the
people of the United States;
Whereas commemoration of those sacrifices and the
recollection of those who served should include all who
served, including those who performed critical logistics
functions;
Whereas after the breakout from the beachheads at Normandy
following the D-Day landings, Allied forces began a rapid
advance across France, with the result that advancing units
in many cases began to outrun their supplies of fuel, food,
and ammunition;
Whereas on August 21, 1944, in response to the need for
resupply of rapidly advancing forces, the Army Motor
Transportation Service created a trucking operation called
the Red Ball Express which began operations on August 25,
1944;
Whereas the Red Ball Express was a massive convoy effort to
speed supplies to the Allied armies advancing across France;
Whereas the convoy system stretched from Normandy to Paris
and eventually to the front in the northeastern borderland of
France;
Whereas by ensuring that United States and other Allied
soldiers were properly resupplied, the Red Ball Express
played a major role in the defeat of Nazi Germany;
Whereas members of the Red Ball Express persevered through
arduous driving conditions and constant threats of ground and
aerial ambushes and performed their duties with precision and
efficiency;
Whereas the Red Ball Express was in operation for 82 days
and, by the time Red Ball Express operations were concluded
in November 1944, Red Ball Express truckers had delivered
over 410,000 tons of fuel, ammunition, food, and other
essential supplies for the Allied forces to succeed in
Europe;
Whereas, during World War II, many commanders believed that
African-Americans were not suitable for combat duties and
relegated them to service, support, and supply missions;
Whereas the majority of Red Ball Express drivers were
African-Americans;
Whereas the success of the Allied advance through France
was made possible by the soldiers who drove the supply
trucks; and
Whereas the members of the Army Motor Transport Brigade who
participated in the Red Ball Express contributed unselfishly
to the war effort despite the indignities and double
standards that they endured: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress honors the members of the Army
Motor Transport Brigade who during World War II served in the
trucking operation known as the Red Ball Express for their
service and contribution to the Allied advance following the
D-Day invasion in Normandy, France.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Hunter) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter).
General Leave
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, when called to prosecute a war, Americans have always
brought a number of important qualities to the war fight. Leadership,
courage, teamwork and commitment are but a few examples of the inherent
characteristics of American warriors that make us a feared adversary.
One only has to look at the record of our forces fighting in Iraq today
to understand that our society is still producing men and women who
have the ``right stuff.''
I would suggest that another vital warfighting skill that is a great
American strength is the ability to organize. While the present day
military can cite many examples of superb achievements in organization,
House Concurrent Resolution 439 reminds us of one of the great examples
of military organization from World War II, the Red Ball Express, and
the great Americans who made it work to defeat Nazi tyranny.
The Red Ball Express was the massive effort to resupply Allied armies
as they advanced through Europe after D-Day. Following the breakout
from Normandy and the French hedgerow country at the end of July 1944,
the First Army under General Bradley and the Third Army under General
Patton began to race north and east from St. Lo, France. I might add,
Mr. Speaker, that Helen Tracy, who was General Patton's secretary in
World War II and was with him when he died in Germany shortly after the
war, is a member of my staff and we are very proud of Helen. I hope
that she is watching this order with respect to the Red Ball Express.
In this first 100 percent internal combustion engine war, gasoline
was the key to continued success on the battlefield. As U.S. and French
troops entered Paris at the end of August 1944, the two armies were
consuming 800,000 gallons of gasoline each day and had exhausted their
reserve supplies.
On August 21, 1944, the Army Motor Transport Service responded to the
challenge with a trucking operation called the Red Ball Express. Within
days, over 900 trucks were trekking the 700 miles round trip from St.
Lo to Paris and the front lines to the northeast carrying the gasoline,
ammunition and other supplies needed to keep the armies on the move. At
a speed of 25 miles per hour and distance of 60 yards apart, the trucks
moved 24 hours a day along the dedicated route marked with red balls,
an old railroad symbol for priority freight. By mid-November, when the
operation ended, the Red Ball Express truckers had delivered over
410,000 tons of gas, oil, lubricants, ammunition, food and other
essentials using nearly 6,000 vehicles at the peak of operations. This
amazing example of organization only became a reality because those
6,000 trucks were driven by men who possessed all those other qualities
I mentioned earlier, leadership, courage, teamwork and commitment.
Fatigue, weather and enemy ground and air attacks all took their toll,
but these men were determined not to let General Patton or General
Bradley down. They knew what was at stake and they were in the fight as
much as any combat soldier.
Three-quarters of those soldiers driving that hazardous route were
African Americans serving in segregated truck companies and
quartermaster units. Most of these dedicated men would have preferred
to be assigned combat duties, but they were denied that opportunity.
Notwithstanding having been dealt a hand not of their own choosing,
they accepted the role they had been given and did it with a warrior's
spirit, a spirit that we would now recognize as authentically American.
The men that refused to allow the Red Ball Express to fail, and
particularly those who were African American, deserve more than a
footnote in our military history. The outstanding performance of the
African Americans who endured the dangers and hardships of the Red Ball
Express was a source of great pride and reflected credit on their race
during a time when few chose to acknowledge their immense contribution
to the war effort.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice
Johnson) for introducing this resolution. The Red Ball Express was a
great moment in our country's military history. I am grateful for the
opportunity to speak on the issue.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this
concurrent resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 439.
Introduced by the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
this bill honors the participants of the ``Red Ball Express'', an Army
Motor Transport Brigade that served during World War II.
The Red Ball Express was the code name of a huge convoy operation
which began on August 21, 1944, to provide provisions and
[[Page H3903]]
supplies to American and Allied soldiers fighting their way across
Europe following their successful landing at Normandy.
The convoy system stretched from Normandy to Paris and eventually to
the front of the northeastern borderland of France. The 82-day convoy
got its name because the route that was used was marked with red balls.
Members of the Army Motor Transportation Brigade that comprised the
Red Ball Express were constantly on the road. An average day for these
dedicated troops meant 900 fully loaded vehicles driving around the
clock. These trucks often traveled during the night in blackout
conditions at speeds higher than 25 miles an hour to meet the growing
demand for food and supplies, all while facing constant threats from
ground ambushes and aerial bombing by the enemy.
What is most remarkable about the Red Ball Express are the soldiers
who served in this brigade. Nearly seventy-five percent of the drivers
were African-Americans who were denied the opportunity to serve in
combat units, and whose families and loved ones were being denied the
very freedoms and rights that they were fighting for in Europe.
Yet, these patriotic Americans persevered and succeeded. Many stories
were written about their achievements, and their ability to overcome
obstacles. These dedicated soldiers truly ``shocked and awed'' all
those who depended upon them. At the peak of the Red Ball Express a
round trip took nearly 54 hours and stretched nearly 400 miles to the
First army.
When the Red Ball Express ended in mid-November 1944, over 412,000
tons of fuel, ammunition, food and other essential supplies had been
delivered to troops on the front line. The success of the American and
Allied offensive in France was due to the achievements of these
outstanding soldiers.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution that
honor the members of the Red Ball Express for their service during
World War II.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the prime sponsor of this
resolution.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the
leadership of this committee for facilitating the bringing of this
resolution to the floor. I rise in strong support of House Concurrent
Resolution 439 and encourage my colleagues to join me.
June 6 marked the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of
World War II that marked a decisive moment in the defeat of Hitler and
Nazi Germany. While we commemorate the valiant heroics and sacrifices
of the individuals who fought to preserve our liberty, I ask my
colleagues to join me in recognizing a group whose contributions have
existed in the shadows since 1944, the Army Motor Transport Service,
code named the Red Ball Express. The Red Ball Express, a predominantly
African-American outfit, was a massive 82-day convoy effort that
supplied the Allied armies moving through Europe. The convoy system
expressed from St. Lo in Normandy to Paris and eventually to the front
along France's northeastern borderland.
Persevering through arduous driving conditions and ambushes, members
of the Red Ball Express performed their duties with utmost precision
and efficiency. Their dedication sustained thousands of Allied troops
during some of the most difficult periods of World War II. When the
program ended in mid-November 1944, Red Ball truckers had delivered
nearly 500,000 tons of fuel, lubricants, ammunition, food and other
vital essentials needed for Allied success within the European theater.
In spite of the indignities, putdowns and double standards that they
endured, members of the Red Ball Express contributed unselfishly to
winning this century's greatest fight for freedom. I met several of
them during the World War II celebration here this past Memorial Day
holiday who are very proud of being a part of this group. Historically,
no group of Americans endured what African Americans endured in uniform
during World War II. They proudly defended America with no guarantee
that their own freedom would be defended on their return home. This
Nation's debt to African-American servicemen and women who served under
those conditions can never be fully repaid but at a minimum we should
certainly honor their service.
I urge my colleagues to join me in bringing this group's
contributions out of the shadows and support House Concurrent
Resolution 439.
Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, to reiterate, I do also urge
support on our side of the aisle for H. Con. Res. 439.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to thank the gentleman from Washington and the gentlewoman
from Texas for such an articulate description of what these great
public servants did for our country.
I am reminded also, Mr. Speaker, I checked with our contractors the
other day. In Iraq right now, we have private contractors like the
gentleman who just escaped from the terrorists driving those trucks
through Ambush Alley as they come up through Iraq facing those deadly
IEDs, and RPG and AK-47 attacks. I am reminded that some 37 of those
contractors from one company, from Halliburton, who were bringing
supplies and food to our people up in northern Iraq have been killed in
action so far. That is a dangerous, deadly run.
By the same token, it was a dangerous and deadly run in World War II.
Keeping that gasoline in those tanks so that that spearhead of steel
could continue to drive the Nazis back was everything. Being able to
continue the momentum from the landing at Normandy and the hedgerow
fighting was an absolute key to our victory. Once again, I want to
thank the gentlewoman for her very articulate support of this
resolution and the gentleman from Washington.
Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this year commemorates the 60th
anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal point in World War II and a unique
moment in time when coordination and valor forged unprecedented
advancement of the Allied forces against the Axis powers. As we
remember the courageous veterans whose foresight and sacrifice brought
about a landmark in the struggle for Democracy, I rise today to honor
the Motor Transport Service, code named the ``Red Ball Express.'' The
heroism of the lesser-known group of veterans has been under-
celebrated, but their impact is eternally felt.
For 82 long days, fighting adverse driving conditions and sleep
depravation, the men of the Red Ball Express transported 500,000 tons
of fuel and ordinance to forward depots throughout France. Though this
immense effort lasted only three months, from August 25 to November 16,
1944, the mission of the Motor Transport Service was perhaps the most
crucial to the capture of occupied France. This massive convoy effort
afforded the Allied troops the means and mobility to successfully
complete the campaign in the European Theater.
Composed of 80 percent African Americans, the men of the Red Ball
Express met the most uncertain of risks to defend the freedom we
cherish today. The altruism of these men in service is astounding.
Their vision and hope for all humanity, during those 82 days, broke
through barricades of tyranny and ignorance to bring liberty to new
heights.
Colonel John S.D. Eisenhower wrote of their noble behavior; ``the
Spectacular nature of the advance was due in as great a measure to the
men who drove the Red Ball trucks as to those who drove the tanks.''
It is when extraordinary conflict has plagued our Nation, that we
have witnessed the most astonishing acts towards peace--when the ideals
of country have been tirelessly challenged, that the firmest of
principles have forged a clear path. And it is when soldiers have faced
disheartening adversity, that patriots have shown unabated courage of
heart. Despite hardship and slight, the men of the ``Red Ball Express''
acted bravely in a time of fear and unselfishly in this unique moment
in history when they were needed the most.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 439, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as
amended, was agreed to.
The title of the concurrent resolution was amended so as to read:
``Concurrent resolution honoring the members of the Army Motor
Transport Brigade who during World War II served in the trucking
operation known as the Red Ball Express for their service and
contribution to the Allied advance following the D-Day invasion of
Normandy, France.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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