[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 18, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10486-H10488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1600
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND THANKS FOR THE SERVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE
303RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY) UPON THE OCCASION OF THE FINAL REUNION
OF THE 303RD BOMB GROUP (H) ASSOCIATION
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 604) expressing the Nation's sincerest
appreciation and thanks for the service of the members of the 303rd
Bombardment Group (Heavy) upon the occasion of the final reunion of the
303rd Bomb Group (H) Association, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 604
Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated
on February 3, 1942, at Pendleton Field, Oregon, and trained
at Gowen Field, Idaho, from February 11, 1942, until June 17,
1942;
Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) was stationed in
Molesworth, England, and comprised of the 358th Bombardment
Squadron, the 359th Bombardment Squadron, the 360th
Bombardment Squadron, and the 427th Bombardment Squadron;
Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H), also known as
``Hell's Angels'', arrived at Molesworth, England on
September 12, 1942, and bravely fought in World War II;
Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) support personnel
sailed on the Queen Mary
[[Page H10487]]
on September 5, 1942, and arrived at Greenock, Scotland, on
September 11, 1942, the flight crews flew to Kellogg Field,
Michigan, then to Dow Field, Maine, to start their flights to
England across the Atlantic Ocean;
Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) flew its first
combat mission on November 17, 1942, and its last mission on
April 25, 1945;
Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group's B-17 ``Hell's
Angels'' was the first to successfully complete 25 combat
missions on May 13, 1943;
Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) flew 364 combat
missions against enemy targets, the most of any B-17 Bomb
Group in the 8th Air Force during World War II;
Whereas two 303rd Bombardment Group (H) airmen were awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honor, four were awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross, 33 were awarded the Silver Star,
and approximately 1,200 Purple Hearts were awarded for those
killed or wounded in action;
Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) adopted the motto
"Might in Flight" in October 1942 and lived up to it on each
of their 364 combat missions;
Whereas 165 aircraft in the 303rd Bombardment Group (H)
were listed as missing in action (MIA);
Whereas the original 303rd Bombardment Group (H) was
inactivated on July 25, 1945, at Casablanca;
Whereas the veterans of the 303rd Bombardment Group (H)
formed the 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association in 1975 to
provide opportunities for 303rd veterans, families, and
friends to meet;
Whereas the veterans of the 303rd Bomb Group (H)
Association memorialize and perpetuate the memory of 303rd
Bombardment Group (H) comrades lost during World War II, and
who have since passed away;
Whereas due to age and the declining health of the 303rd
Bombardment Group (H) veterans, the 303rd Bomb Group (H)
Association Board of Directors has made the difficult
decision to dissolve the Association at the end of 2007; and
Whereas the 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association's final
reunion will be held in Washington, D.C., on September 19,
2007 through September 23, 2007: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) The dedicated men and women who served in the 8th Air
Force, 303rd Bombardment Group (H), "Hell's Angels",
including the nearly 5,000 listed as missing in action,
during World War II are heroes and champions of American
freedom; and
(2) The House of Representatives, on behalf of a grateful
nation, recognizes the final reunion of the 303rd Bomb Group
(H) Association and commends the honorable members of the
Association, who never once turned away from their assigned
target, for their selfless service to our country.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Holden). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) and the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Turner) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Hampshire.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 604,
expressing the Nation's sincerest appreciation and thanks for the
service of the members of the 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) upon the
occasion of their final reunion. I thank my colleague from Michigan
(Mr. McCotter) for bringing this measure before the House.
Our history is rich with heroes who have risen above and beyond the
call of duty in service to our great Nation. The American flag billows
proudly above this Capitol building, and even more boldly behind your
seat, Mr. Speaker, due to the extraordinary heroism of our servicemen
in times of war.
The 303rd Bombardment Group is certainly part of this legacy. Two
303rd Bombardment Group airmen, Technical Sergeant Forrest Vosler and
First Lieutenant Jack Mathis, were awarded the Congressional Medal of
Honor, four were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, 33 were
awarded the Silver Star, approximately 1,200 Purple Hearts were awarded
for those killed or wounded in action, and over 5,000 were listed as
missing in action during World War II. While these numbers make me
proud to be an American, statistics alone cannot begin to comprehend
the tremendous service they have done for all of us.
The members of the 303rd Bomb Group Association have provided
opportunities for 303rd veterans, families and friends to meet, and
have perpetuated the memory of the 303rd Bombardment Group comrades
lost during World War II, since the organization was founded in 1975.
And while the 303rd Bomb Group Association is meeting this week for
the final time, the United States House of Representatives and our
great Nation can express its sincerest thanks for their service by
carrying forth the mission statement of the 303rd Bomb Group
Association and making timeless the memory of their successes and
sacrifices by memorializing their history in law.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 604.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.
Mr. Speaker, today I speak in support of House Resolution 604, which
expresses the Nation's appreciation and thanks for the servicemembers
of the 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) upon the occasion of the final
reunion of the 303rd Bomb Group Association.
Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate to learn that the 303rd Bomb Group
Association will dissolve following their final reunion this week in
Arlington, Virginia. The declining number of these courageous veterans
makes it difficult for the association to continue their annual
reunions.
With that being said, Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to pay
tribute to the valiant men of the 303rd Bombardment Group known as
``Hell's Angels.''
Activated in February 1942 at Pendleton, Oregon, the 303rd was an
Eighth Air Force Bomber Group that flew the mighty B-17 Flying Fortress
out of Molesworth, England. Living up to their adopted motto, ``Might
in Flight,'' the air crews flew a record 364 combat missions against
enemy targets, the most of any B-17 Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force
during World War II.
For its actions in the skies over Europe, the group was awarded a
Distinguished Unit Citation in January 1944, two of the heroic crew men
of the 303rd were awarded with Congressional Medal of Honor, and four
earned the Distinguished Service Cross.
For all of their accomplishments, the members of the Bomb Group paid
a heavy price in casualties, aircraft losses, and capture by the enemy.
Their determination to complete the mission regardless of the
opposition or the odds carried them through their losses and on to
victory in the air.
Mr. Speaker, given the history of outstanding service by the 303rd
Bombardment Group during World War II, as well as the last reunion of
the veterans of the 303rd taking place this week, it is fitting that we
take the time today to recognize and honor their service. I therefore
strongly urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Mr. McCotter of Michigan for
such time as he might consume.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the sponsor of the
resolution and the chairman of the committee, the ranking member, and
all of my colleagues who are joining me in support of honoring the
heroic members of the 303rd Bombardment Group.
It has rightly been said that they were the greatest generation; and
yet, it is important, through the adoption of resolutions and other
instances, where we, as a people, recognize their sacrifice for the
very liberty upon which our free Republic is founded, always remember
that their service to our Nation did not end with World War II, for
they continued in their transition to civilian life where they also
helped form the foundation of our Nation. But it is also critical that,
too, at this juncture, where again another generation of Americans
finds themselves tasked with defending freedom in its maximum hour of
danger, that we never forget the example that these citizens, soldiers
and airmen set for the rest of us, not just as a matter of history, but
as a matter for our progeny that they may ever breathe free.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Mr. McCotter for
bringing forth this resolution so that this body might honor the 303rd.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New Hampshire
[[Page H10488]]
(Ms. Shea-Porter) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution, H. Res. 604, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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