[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6630-S6631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 577--HONORING THE FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE, IN 
        RECOGNITION OF ITS SUPERIOR SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR II

  Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. Kerry, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Tester, and Ms. 
Murkowski) submitted the following resolution; which was:

                              S. Res. 577

       Whereas the First Special Service Force (referred to in 
     this preamble as the ``Force''), a military unit composed of 
     volunteers from the United States and Canada, was activated 
     in July 1942 at Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana;
       Whereas the Force was initially intended to target military 
     and industrial installations that were supporting the German 
     war effort, including important hydroelectric plants, which 
     would severely limit the production of strategic materials 
     used by the Axis powers;
       Whereas, from July 1942 through June 1943, volunteers of 
     the Force trained in hazardous, arctic conditions in the 
     mountains of western Montana, and in the waterways of Camp 
     Bradford, Virginia;
       Whereas the combat echelon of the Force totaled 1,800 
     soldiers, half from the United States and half from Canada;
       Whereas the Force also contained a service battalion, 
     composed of 800 members from the United States, that provided 
     important support for the combat troops;
       Whereas a special bond developed between the Canadian and 
     United States soldiers, who were not segregated by country, 
     although the commander of the Force was a United States 
     colonel;
       Whereas the Force was the only unit formed during World War 
     II that consisted of troops from Canada and the United 
     States;
       Whereas, in October 1943, the Force went to Italy, where it 
     fought in battles south of Cassino, including Monte La 
     Difensa and Monte Majo, two mountain peaks that were a 
     critical anchor of the German defense line;
       Whereas, during the night of December 3, 1943, the Force 
     ascended to the top of the precipitous face of Monte La 
     Difensa, where the Force suffered heavy casualties and 
     overcame fierce resistance to overtake the German line;
       Whereas, after the battle for La Difensa, the Force 
     continued to fight tough battles at high altitudes, in rugged 
     terrain, and in severe weather;
       Whereas, after battles on the strongly defended Italian 
     peaks of Sammucro, Vischiataro, and Remetanea, the size of 
     the Force had been reduced from 1,800 soldiers to fewer than 
     500;
       Whereas, for 4 months in 1944, the Force engaged in raids 
     and aggressive patrols at the Anzio Beachhead;
       Whereas, on June 4, 1944, members of the Force were among 
     the first Allied troops to liberate Rome;
       Whereas, after liberating Rome, the Force moved to southern 
     Italy and prepared to assist in the liberation of France;
       Whereas, during the early morning of August 15, 1944, 
     members of the Force made silent landings on Les Iles 
     D'Hyeres, small islands in the Mediterranean Sea along the 
     southern coast of France;
       Whereas the Force faced a sustained and withering assault 
     from the German garrisons as the Force progressed from the 
     islands to the Franco-Italian border;
       Whereas, after the Allied forces secured the Franco-Italian 
     border, the United States Army ordered the disbandment of the 
     Force on December 5, 1944, in Nice, France;
       Whereas, during 251 days of combat, the Force suffered 
     2,314 casualties, or 134 percent of its authorized strength, 
     captured thousands of prisoners, won 5 United States campaign 
     stars and 8 Canadian battle honors, and never failed a 
     mission;
       Whereas the United States is forever indebted to the acts 
     of bravery and selflessness of the troops of the Force, who 
     risked their lives for the cause of freedom;

[[Page S6631]]

       Whereas the efforts of the Force along the seas and skies 
     of Europe were critical in repelling the advance of Nazi 
     Germany and liberating numerous communities in France and 
     Italy;
       Whereas the bond between the members of the Force from the 
     United States and those from Canada has endured over the 
     decades, as the members meet every year for a reunion, 
     alternating between the United States and Canada; and
       Whereas the traditions and honors exhibited by the Force 
     are carried on by 2 outstanding active units of 2 great 
     democracies, the Special Forces of the United States and the 
     Canadian Special Operations Regiment: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and honors the 
     superior service of the First Special Service Force during 
     World War II.

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