[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5758-H5760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING 14TH ARMORED DIVISION
Mr. CRITZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1483) recognizing the exemplary service and
sacrifice of the soldiers of the 14th Armored Division of the United
States Army, known as the Liberators, during World War II, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1483
Whereas the 14th Armored Division was activated on November
15, 1942, at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, as a unit of the United
States Army;
Whereas the Division's 19th, 62d, and 68th Armored Infantry
Battalions traced their lineage back to the 62d Infantry
Regiment, which was organized in 1917;
Whereas the Division landed in southern France on October
29, 1944, and first entered combat on November 20, 1944;
Whereas the Division participated in the Rhineland,
Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns;
Whereas the Division participated in the liberation of most
of the French province of Alsace in late November, 1944, and
was engaged in an offensive against the Siegfried Line itself
when, on December 19, General Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered
the 7th Army to withdraw from Germany in response to the
serious threat posed by a major German offensive in the
Ardennes;
Whereas when the German army launched Operation Nordwind,
the last major German offensive of the European war, against
7th Army positions, elements of the Division engaged several
German divisions between January 1 and January 7, 1945,
contributing materially to deflecting the initial German
attacks;
Whereas it was during one of these engagements on January 3
and 4, 1945, that the Division's Private First Class George
B. Turner earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in
helping to repel repeated German attacks at Philippsbourg,
France;
Whereas, on January 9, 1945, the Division stopped the
German XXXIX Panzer Corps from breaking through the 7th
Army's lines at the villages of Hatten and Rittershoffen;
Whereas, between January 9 and January 21, 1945, the
Division fought the 21st Panzer Division, 25th Panzer
Grenadier Division, 20th Regiment of the 7th Parachute
Division, and the 104th Regiment of the 47th Volksgrenadier
Division to a standstill during the ensuing Battle of Hatten-
Rittershoffen;
Whereas elements of the Division were awarded two
Presidential Unit Citations;
Whereas, on March 24, 1945, after days of heavy fighting,
the Division broke through the Siegfried Line and advanced to
the Rhine River;
Whereas, after crossing the Rhine River, the Division
liberated Stalag XIII-C and Oflag XIII-B, two large prisoner
of war camps at Hammelburg, Germany;
Whereas, during April 1945, the Division rapidly advanced
hundreds of miles across southern Germany, fighting numerous
battles before crossing the Danube River north of Munich;
Whereas, on April 29, 1945, the Division, after a fierce
engagement with several thousand SS troops, liberated Stalag
VII-A, one
[[Page H5759]]
of the largest prisoner of war camps in Germany;
Whereas the Division is designated a ``Liberating Unit'' by
the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in recognition of
its liberation of civilians of many nationalities and
ethnicities from forced labor and concentration camps,
including several large sub-camps of the notorious Dachau
concentration camp system;
Whereas the Secretary of the Army awarded the Division the
distinctive unit designation, ``Liberators'', in recognition
of the Division's role in liberating large numbers of U.S.
and Allied prisoners of war; and
Whereas the proud fighting tradition and accomplishments of
the Division and its men, especially those who made the
ultimate sacrifice, must not be forgotten: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the
exemplary service and sacrifice of the soldiers of the 14th
Armored Division of the United States Army, known as the
Liberators, during World War II.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
General Leave
Mr. CRITZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
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 Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. CRITZ. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1483,
recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the soldiers of the
14th Armored Division of the United States Army, known as the
Liberators, during World War II. I'm very grateful to my colleague from
Georgia, Dr. Gingrey, for his work in authoring this resolution.
Madam Speaker, the distinctive designation ``Liberator'' is a title
well-earned by the brave men of the 14th Armored Division for their
valor, heroism, and sacrifice in the Allied invasion of Western Europe
and the liberation of prisoners of war, forced laborers, and
concentration camps.
Crossing over the Danube River in southern Germany through the
concentration camps at Dachau, the troops of the 14th Armored Division
became witness to evidence of some of the most appalling and brutal
atrocities the world has ever seen. The resolve in the face of
unspeakable evil is testament to the strength of their conviction in
the American ideals of freedom and democracy that eventually led the
Allies to victory in 1945.
As the soldiers of the 14th Armored Division advanced toward the
Stalag VII A POW camp near Moosburg, Allied prisoners of war, including
American soldiers, sailors, and airmen waited in nervous hope as the
sounds of fighting and the prospect of their own freedom grew even
closer. Despite being outnumbered by SS troops, the men of the 14th
fought valiantly to overpower them and went on to carry out the
liberation of one of the largest POW camps in Germany.
The flag of the 14th Armored Division, along with those of many other
liberating units, is displayed at the entrance of the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent reminder of the courage of
these and other American liberators who put their own lives in danger
so that others could be free from oppression and fear.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize and commend the
service of the soldiers of the 14th Armored Division, of whom it has
been said that heroism, sacrifice, and achievements above and beyond
the call of duty were everyday occurrences, by voting in favor of House
Resolution 1483.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1483, as amended, which
recognizes the service and sacrifices of the members of the 14th
Armored Division during World War II and want to commend my friend,
Phil Gingrey of Georgia, for sponsoring this legislation.
{time} 1600
The 14th Armored Division first went into action in November 1944 and
established an impressive fighting record in France and Germany during
more than 130 days of combat.
In January 1945, a 46-year-old World War I marine veteran, Private
First Class George B. Turner, earned the Medal of Honor for his
extraordinary heroism that helped the division repel repeated German
attacks. Turner was a graduate of Wentworth Military Academy in
Missouri, that fine educational institution long supported by our
chairman, Ike Skelton, and despite Pfc Turner's age and prior service,
he again volunteered for military service out of a sense of duty.
As the division history notes: ``During training, many of the young
soldiers and officers with whom he served came to admire his quiet
strength and dedication to duty. Turner soon gained the reputation of
being a good soldier who truly wanted to come to grips with the
enemy.''
``Coming to grips with the enemy'' is something that Turner and his
fellow soldiers of the 14th Armored Division did unhesitatingly and
very well.
As we approach the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, it's
fitting that this House honor the sacrifices of the men of that
division who served the Nation in securing a lasting victory.
Today, our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have made the same
commitment to this Nation. We must heed the lessons to be learned from
the 14th Armored Division and today fully support our troops and
families with the resources necessary for them to finish the job in the
wars America is fighting today.
I urge every Member of our body to support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, it's with great pleasure I yield such time as he may
consume to my good colleague from Georgia, Phil Gingrey.
Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of
House Resolution 1483, to honor the service and sacrifice of the 14th
Armored Division during World War II; and I thank my friend, the
distinguished chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Ike
Skelton of Missouri, for being an original cosponsor and also want to
thank Representative Critz of Pennsylvania and Representative Conaway
of Texas for their support.
As Americans learn about World War II, most are familiar with the
Battle of the Bulge; yet few know about Hitler's last major offensive
along the Western front. Operation Nordwind was Hitler's final attempt
at pushing back the Allied march toward Germany. The Allies blocked the
German counterattack, and the Germans began withdrawing to defensive
positions. But victory came with a heavy price, Madam Speaker. Of the
approximately 41,000 casualties, roughly 16,000 were from Allied
forces.
Today, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring one armored
division, the 14th, that played a vital part in stopping this
offensive. Madam Speaker, the 14th Armored Division arrived in
Marseilles, France, on October 29, 1944, and soon after participated in
the liberation of the French province of Alsace that November. The 14th
went on to enter Germany on December 6, 1944. In addition to its
efforts in Operation Nordwind, the men of the 14th Armored Division
liberated tens of thousands of Allied personnel from German captivity.
Among them were thousands of Americans.
So celebrated is the legacy of the 14th, Madam Speaker, that the
division has been distinguished and designated as a ``Liberating Unit''
by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in recognition of its
liberation of civilians of many nationalities from concentration camps.
All in all, Madam Speaker, in their selfless efforts to free those
confined to these camps, 447 of the 14th's finest were killed in
action, 1,998 were wounded in combat, and to this day, 442 are missing
in action.
Madam Speaker, I came to know the storied history of the 14th Armored
Division through my deputy district director, John O'Keefe, whose
grandfather, Private First Class Norman Narsted, served in the 62nd
Armored Infantry Battalion of the 14th Armored Division; and he,
indeed, was killed in action on March 1, 1945. With John's help and
that of the division's historian, Jim Langford, we were able to put
together House Resolution 1483. It is especially timely given that the
14th
[[Page H5760]]
Armored Division Association will be holding its 45th annual reunion on
September 8, and with the anniversary of the end of World War II right
around the corner.
In honor of this occasion, Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues
to join me today in honoring the liberators.
Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CRITZ. Madam Speaker, I urge support of H. Res. 1483. I commend
Dr. Gingrey for his leadership.
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1483, 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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