[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S6453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BURMA CHALLENGES

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today, as I do on many 
occasions, to bring attention to the numerous challenges that face the 
people of Burma. Of great concern to those advocating for democracy in 
Burma is promoting reconciliation among the diverse groups in the 
country. Like many ethnic groups in the country, the Kachin people of 
northern Burma have a distinct and longstanding heritage. Yet, they 
continue to be targeted by the ruling junta. Not only is their struggle 
against the oppressive junta of concern to those of us focused on 
reforms in Burma, but they also have an important historical connection 
to the United States, a connection that I would like to highlight 
today.
  On September 13, 1945, Japanese soldiers surrendered to Allied forces 
in Burma. As many in this Chamber are no doubt aware, many Americans 
bravely fought in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II. 
The late Senator Ted Stevens, for example, flew the treacherous 
``hump'' over the Himalayas, and many other Americans helped build the 
important Ledo supply road, linking China, Burma and India. In the 
Allied effort in this theater, the Kachin people deserve particular 
mention for the commitment, sacrifice and invaluable support they 
provided Allied forces to reclaim that country.
  The situation in this region was bleak for Allied forces in 1942. The 
Burmese terrain, a combination of dense rain forest and high altitude, 
proved a formidable obstacle in itself. Of particular importance was 
building and maintaining the Allied supply lines into Kunming, China. 
This task was assigned to GEN Joseph Stilwell and was later described 
by George Marshall as ``one of the most difficult assignments'' given 
to any theater commander. As part of this endeavor, CPT Carl Eifler 
directed U.S. efforts against Japanese forces in Burma. Captain Eifler 
assembled an accomplished group of officers with a diverse set of 
skills, ranging from linguistics and medicine to piloting and 
explosives. Detachment 101 officially began on April 14, 1942, a mere 3 
weeks before the Japanese Imperial Army would take Rangoon and, with 
it, effective control of the country.
  As part of its mission, GEN Stillwell wanted Detachment 101 to learn 
to adapt to and thrive in Burma's thick rain forests. He would use his 
troops' familiarity with fighting in such terrain to harass the enemy 
with unconventional tactics, weakening its grip on strategic locations 
such as the Myitkyina Airbase in the Kachin State. The historian for 
U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Dr. C. H. Briscoe, credits part 
of Detachment 101's operational success to support from a group of 
Burmese in the ``Kachin Rangers'' unit and, in particular, their 
efforts in intelligence collection, as well as pilot rescue and 
sabotage missions. In the spring of 1945, due to its success, 
Detachment 101 expanded its Kachin forces to more than 10,000 troops.
  The Kachin Rangers are credited with many effective and 
unconventional warfare tactics, some of which have subsequently been 
incorporated by the Army Special Forces Green Berets. In just a few 
years of combat, according to James R. Ward--a member of Detachment 
101--the Kachin Rangers reportedly provided the U.S. 10th Air Force 
with 75 percent of its targets and the 164 Kachin radio teams in Burma 
provided some 85 percent of the intelligence received by General 
Stilwell's Northern Combat Area Command. In addition, these Kachin 
soldiers are credited with destroying an estimated 15,000 tons of 
Japanese supplies and killing or capturing more than 15,000 enemy 
troops. According to reports, the group also helped save the lives of 
as many as 425 downed Allied airmen during the war.
  Ultimately, following the Japanese surrender of Burma, Detachment 101 
was awarded the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation by the Army 
Chief of Staff at the time, future President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
  Efforts by the Kachin people helped secure an Allied victory in Burma 
66 years ago. Currently, the Kachin--like other ethnic minorities in 
Burma--deserve our recognition as allies in another noble cause: to 
secure freedom and reconciliation in a democratic Burma. We honor their 
bravery and commitment to freedom six decades ago as well as today.

                          ____________________