[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             EXERCISE TIGER

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, today I rise to honor the 65th anniversary 
of the Exercise Tiger operation and the American servicemen who took 
part in this exercise. I extend my gratitude to their dedication and 
service to the people of Missouri and of the Nation.
  On April 28, 1944, German Navy ``E'' boats, patrolling the English 
Channel, attacked eight American landing ships engaged in training 
operation Exercise Tiger. These operations, organized by the U.S. Army, 
were undertaken off a beach in Devon, England often patrolled by German 
``E'' torpedo boats. With only one English ship to guard the convoy, 
there was a devastating surprise attack on the American ships ending in 
multiple ships being sunk.
  Of the four thousand men who participated in this critical operation, 
nearly a quarter lost their life including over 200 men from the 3206th 
Quartermaster Company located in Missouri. Due to the secrecy of the 
mission, information on the fatalities was only released after the 
successful completion of the D-Day invasion.
  April 28, 2009 marks the 65th historic anniversary of the WWII Battle 
of Exercise Tiger and an opportunity to recognize all the men who 
served and gave their life in that historic battle. I am proud to say 
that we have renamed U.S. Highway 54 in my home State of Missouri as 
the WWII Exercise Tiger Expressway, in honor of the sailors and 
soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The Missouri Exercise Tiger 
Army and Navy Anchor Memorial has been built on the Audrain County 
Court House Lawn in their memory.
  The servicemen who participated in the Battle of Exercise Tiger are 
to be commemorated for their heroic actions. These men were an example 
for all American soldiers and a credit to the United States as it 
remains the free and great country that it is today.

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