[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 121 (Thursday, September 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF PELELIU

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2004

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of this 
resolution, of which I am an original cosponsor. I too commend the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) and the gentleman from American 
Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) for introducing this measure to bring 
appropriate Congressional recognition to the 60h Anniversary of the 
Battle of Peleliu.
  The Battle of Peleliu was one of the fiercest fought in the Pacific 
theater during the greatest war of the last century. The fall of 
Japan's first line of defense in New Guinea, the Marshalls and the 
Marianas in 1944 precipitated the Allied advance to the strongholds in 
Japan's second defense line. Located within this line was the Palau 
island chain. U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur, wanting to free 
Palau from enemy control before beginning operations in the 
Philippines, convinced President Franklin Roosevelt to approve his 
strategy to win the war in the Pacific. What followed would be a 
ferocious battle on the island of Peleliu and Angaur in the Palau 
island chain lasting more than two months and costing thousands of 
lives.
  Earlier this month, we marked the 60th Anniversary of D-Day on 
Peleliu, on September 15th. On that day in 1944, the Marines of the 1st 
Marine Division landed on the western beaches of Peleliu to free the 
Palauan people from control by the Axis powers and to advance the cause 
of freedom against tyranny. The costs of the battle were high, the 
conflict intense. The Army's 81st Infantry Division was later called 
upon to relieve the 1st Marine Division. Of the nineteen Medals of 
Honor awarded to Marines of the 1st Division in the Pacific, eight were 
won on Peleliu. U.S. Forces endured over 10,000 casualties; over 12,000 
Japanese soldiers were killed in action; and many innocent Palauan 
lives were caught and lost in the conflict.
  Today, the Battle of Peleliu is recognized as one of World War II's 
most important campaigns. The Republic of Palau today is an independent 
nation that maintains a special relationship with the United States, 
embodied in a Compact of Free Association that is a testament to the 
shared principles of freedom and peace. This resolution is a strong and 
timely tribute to the veterans of the Battle of Peleliu. Passage of 
this resolution will bring appropriate Congressional recognition to the 
friendship between the Republic of Palau and the United States, and 
serve as an expression of support for the Department of the Interior's 
cooperative work with the people of Palau to protect the historic sites 
of the Peleliu Battlefield.

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