[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H2267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     GLIDER PILOTS OF WORLD WAR II

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
glider pilots of World War II.
  Glider planes were lightweight aircraft without engines that were 
used to drop supplies and reinforcement personnel for troops and 
surveillance. They were very efficient, because they made no noise and 
could fly into the enemy areas undetected.
  The gliders would be towed by larger planes in order to take off, but 
then would fly and land on their own. The glider pilots flew dangerous 
missions and were constantly at risk for being shot down. Glider pilots 
were instrumental in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, despite the 
fact that pilots had to improvise on landings, since no known landing 
strips were known to be behind enemy lines.
  Later in the war, the Germans would plant wooden poles in open fields 
to prevent glider pilots from landing. The U.S. Army Air Forces began 
training glider pilots in 1942. The program quickly grew during the 
war. Eventually, over 6,500 men were trained to be glider pilots.
  Throughout World War II, the glider pilots flew eight successful 
missions. The glider pilots' first mission occurred on July 19, 1942, 
Operation Husky, which was called for the glider pilots to carry 
British airborne troops into Sicily. Despite the heavy casualties from 
landing at the sea, the glider pilots completed their mission.
  In March of 1944, the glider pilots completed Operation Broadway in 
Burma. The glider pilots took the Japanese completely by surprise, 
carrying troops, airborne engineers and equipment by night. They seized 
and prepared landing strips for forthcoming transport planes and 
evacuated the wounded. The glider pilots accomplished this feat in 2 
hours, completing a mission that would have taken 2 months by 
ambulance.
  Perhaps the most famous mission of the glider pilots was the Battle 
of Normandy. On D-Day the glider pilots participated in the largest 
combined airborne and seaborne invasion in history. They carried troops 
of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division and their equipment to landing 
areas behind enemy lines. Their work helped to secure victory in World 
War II.
  Mr. Speaker, each year we lose more and more of these courageous 
veterans. I believe Congress must recognize their accomplishments for 
the future generations of our veterans. That is why I have introduced 
House Concurrent Resolution 42. This bill recognizes the glider pilots 
and the many troops who put their lives on the line to defend the ideas 
and the freedoms of our country. All of our glider missions were 
successful. Unfortunately, casualties were suffered.
  On March 20, ``Silent Wings,'' a documentary on these great pilots, 
will be released. The documentary features interviews with glider 
pilots, Members of Congress and media icons. I will be sponsoring a 
viewing of this powerful film on the evening of March 20.
  I hope you will all join me to commemorate these veterans. We must 
all remember and teach future generations about the sacrifices that 
glider pilots and all veterans made for our country. I urge my 
colleagues to support the glider pilots and cosponsor H. Con. Res. 42.

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