[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H2817-H2819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AWARDING CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE
Mr. COTTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 324) to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to
the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service
during World War II, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 324
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The First Special Service Force (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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) The combat echelon of the Force totaled 1,800 soldiers,
half from the United States and half from Canada.
(5) The Force also contained a service battalion, composed
of 800 members from the United States, that provided
important support for the combat troops.
(6) 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.
(7) The Force was the only unit formed during World War II
that consisted of troops from Canada and the United States.
(8) 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.
(9) 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.
(10) After the battle for La Difensa, the Force continued
to fight tough battles at high altitudes, in rugged terrain,
and in severe weather.
(11) 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.
(12) For 4 months in 1944, the Force engaged in raids and
aggressive patrols at the Anzio Beachhead.
(13) On June 4, 1944, members of the Force were among the
first Allied troops to liberate Rome.
[[Page H2818]]
(14) After liberating Rome, the Force moved to southern
Italy and prepared to assist in the liberation of France.
(15) 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.
(16) The Force faced a sustained and withering assault from
the German garrisons as the Force progressed from the islands
to the Franco-Italian border.
(17) 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.
(18) 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.
(19) 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.
(20) 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.
(21) 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.
(22) 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.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf
of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to the
First Special Service Force, collectively, in recognition of
their dedicated service during World War II.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award
referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury
(in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike
the gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and
inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
(c) Award of Medal.--Following the award of the gold medal
in honor of the First Special Service Force under subsection
(a), the medal shall be given to the First Special Service
Force Association in Helena, Montana, where it shall be
available for display or temporary loan to be displayed
elsewhere, particularly at other appropriate locations
associated with the First Special Service Force, including
Fort William Henry Harrison in Helena, Montana.
SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of
the gold medal struck under section 2, at a price sufficient
to cover the costs of the medal, including labor, materials,
dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and amounts
received from the sale of such duplicates shall be deposited
in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.
Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for
purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Cotton) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. COTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and submit extraneous materials for the Record on H.R. 324, as amended,
currently under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. COTTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today to seek swift approval of H.R. 324, a bill to grant the
Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service
Force in recognition of its superior service during World War II. The
bill, introduced by my colleague from Florida (Mr. Miller), has 324
cosponsors, befitting the storied history of this unit.
Mr. Speaker, the bravery and valor of the Army Special Forces, more
commonly known as the Green Berets, are well known to most Americans.
But many don't realize that this unit was born out of the First Special
Service Force and the courageous soldiers that fought with it during
World War II. The award of the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition
of their heroic service will help ensure that this unit attains the
historical recognition it deserves.
Formed in 1942 to take on the hardest jobs in the most adverse
conditions, the First Special Service Force was composed of American
and Canadian soldiers. The unit fought bravely in the Italian Apennine
Mountains against elite German units--the 104th Panzer Grenadiers and
the Hermann Goering Paratroops--who were defending Hitler's Gustav Line
south of Rome. They defeated German forces at Monte La Difensa after
fighting south of the center of the line at Monte Cassino and
participated in the successful assault of Monte La Remetanea and
several nearby mountains. Sadly, of the 1,800 of the First Special
Service Forces fighting soldiers and their 800 support troops, there
were 2,300 casualties suffered in the 250 combat days before the unit
was disbanded in December of 1944.
Mr. Speaker, the men of the Special Forces fought with their faces
blackened by their own boot polish. They were so feared that the Nazi
defenders called them the Black Devils and the unit took that name as
its own, calling itself the Devil's Brigade. Proud of their strength
and bravery, Special Forces soldiers left cards with their patch
insignia and the phrase ``The Worst is Yet to Come'' on corpses in
enemy territory.
Following World War II, a permanent elite unit was formed based on
the experiences of the Special Forces and OSS operatives during the
war. Today, that unit has evolved into the Army's Green Berets and a
similar unit in Canada, the Special Operations Regiment.
Today, we hear stories of brave men and women in uniform defending
freedom around the world. I've seen some of this awe-inspiring bravery
firsthand in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a soldier myself. But as we
hail our soldiers of today, let us remember the heroism and bravery of
the Greatest Generation during World War II. This legislation
authorizes the striking and award of a single gold medal that will go
to the First Special Service Force Association in Helena, Montana, the
original training site of the First Special Force, and the sale of
bronze duplicates of that medal.
I ask for immediate passage of this legislation, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Committee on
House Administration,
Washington, DC, May 20, 2013.
Hon. Jeb Hensarling,
Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Rayburn House
Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Hensarling: I write to you concerning the
jurisdictional interest of the Committee on House
Administration in H.R. 324, to grant the Congressional Gold
Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force in
recognition of its superior service during World War II. The
bill, as introduced in the House on January 18, 2013,
contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the
Committee on House Administration.
I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this
legislation before the House in an expeditious manner, and
accordingly, I will waive Committee consideration of
provisions that fall within the Committee's jurisdiction.
However, agreeing to waive jurisdiction over these amendments
should not be construed as waiving, reducing, or affecting
the jurisdiction of the Committee on House Administration.
Additionally, the Committee on House Administration
expressly reserves its authority to seek conferees on any
provision within its jurisdiction during any House-Senate
conference that may be convened on this, or any similar
legislation. I ask for your commitment to support any request
by the Committee for conferees on H.R. 324 for provisions
within the Committee's jurisdiction.
I ask that a copy of this letter and your response be
placed in the Congressional Record during any floor
consideration of H.R. 324.
I look forward to working with you on matters of mutual
concern.
Sincerely,
Candice S. Miller,
Chairman.
____
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, May 21, 2013.
Hon. Candice S. Miller,
Chairman, Committee on House Administration, Longworth House
Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Miller: Thank you for your May 20 letter
regarding H.R. 324, a bill to grant the Congressional Gold
Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in
recognition of its superior service during World War II.
I am most appreciative of your decision to forego
consideration of H.R. 324 so that it may move expeditiously
to the House floor. I acknowledge that although you are
waiving formal consideration of the bill, the Committee on
House Administration is in no way waiving its jurisdiction
over any subject
[[Page H2819]]
matter contained in the bill that falls within its
jurisdiction. In addition, if a conference is necessary on
this legislation, I will support any request that your
committee be represented therein.
Finally, I shall be pleased to include your letter and this
letter in the Congressional Record during floor consideration
of H.R. 324.
Sincerely,
Jeb Hensarling,
Chairman.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. I rise today to give great support for
H.R. 324.
Let me say, Mr. Speaker, at the outset that the Congressional Gold
Medal is our highest honor; and there is no greater recipient that we
can give this honor to than the First Special Service Forces, known as
the Devil's Brigade. They were courageous. They risked their lives. As
a matter of fact, they were the unit that led the liberation of France
and Italy from the Nazis with daring, with courage, with skill. So it
is very important for us to stand here today and to give great
recognition to this unit.
There is a special bond between Canada and the United States, and
that special bond started in World War II. For it was the first unit--
and the only unit--where two nations, Canada and the United States,
formed a force that accomplished what many felt was impossible.
{time} 1310
You know, the Lord Jesus Christ said that there is no greater love--
no greater love--that you can show than one who would give his life for
another.
What a great honor this is, Mr. Speaker. I am just proud to join with
my colleague, Mr. Miller from Florida--my good friend--and Mr. Cotton
from Arkansas to give this recognition, this high nobility of purpose
to the first unit.
Today, Mr. Speaker, we are proud to have our Navy SEALs, our Green
Berets, our Special Ops, those special soldiers who go where many times
few others would go. But the foundation of that was the Devil's
Brigade.
I can just imagine that Nazi soldier who wrote that note, scared out
of his wits when he called them the ``Black Devils,'' when they would
go and put shoe polish on their faces so that they could be expertly
disguised to go in and to help to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany.
So it is with great pleasure that I stand here to join my colleagues
in urging unanimous passage of this extraordinary legislation to honor
this extraordinary group of soldiers.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COTTON. I appreciate that reference to John 15:13, ``Greater love
hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.''
Certainly, many members of the Devil's Brigade did that, as they do
today in our Special Forces.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller), the sponsor of this legislation.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I also
thank my friend, Mr. Scott, for his kind words. I also want to thank
Chairman Hensarling and Ranking Member Waters and Subcommittee Chairman
Campbell, with his Ranking Member Clay, all the members of the
Financial Services Committee and the House leadership for their support
in bringing to the floor here today H.R. 324. It is a bill that grants
the Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the First Special
Service Force.
I also want to thank the members of the First Special Service Force
Association, specifically Mr. Bill Woon for his advocacy, and for the
association's efforts in continuing to spread the inspirational story
of a truly heroic group of American and Canadian servicemen.
I would be remiss not to thank Congressman Al Green of Texas and
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida for encouraging
support from their caucus members for this broad bipartisan piece of
legislation, and the 324 Members of this body who have cosponsored the
bill.
I join my colleagues today in support of a bill that bestows upon the
First Special Service Force the Congressional Gold Medal. It's
Congress' highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished
achievement and contributions for their superior service during World
War II.
The First Special Service Force was a covert World War II military
unit born through the efforts of President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime
Minister Winston Churchill. The Force conducted ultrahigh-risk military
missions in Italy and in France. Once sent into action, the First
Special Service Force never failed a combat mission.
The First Special Service Force achieved remarkable success in battle
and contributed prominently in the liberation of Italy and France. Most
notably, the Force conducted battles south of Cassino, including Monte
La Difensa and Monte Majo, two mountain peaks critical to the German
defensive line.
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.
The First Special Service Force lost a total of 2,314 men, which was
134 percent of the original combat force. These heroic servicemen
represent the breadth of intrepidity and courage, and they have earned
our country's deepest gratitude and highest praise.
Though many of the brave troops of the First Special Service Force
have been lost to us, this gold medal is an important step in
immortalizing their service and honoring the forefathers of today's
Special Forces.
With just 6 days remaining until Memorial Day, I cannot think of a
more appropriate way to honor the heroism and sacrifice of the warriors
of the First Special Service Force, and I urge all of my colleagues to
support this important piece of legislation.
To all of the men and women who have guarded our great Nation in the
name of protecting and defending liberty that we hold so dear, we say
thank you. And to all of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice,
may you forever remain in our hearts and in our prayers.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.
I'll just take this opportunity to join all of us in the Congress of
the United States to salute the First Special Service Force for the
outstanding work that they have done.
I urge unanimous passage on this legislation, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. COTTON. I yield myself the balance of my time.
I join my colleagues, the gentleman from Georgia and the gentleman
from Florida, in urging unanimous passage of this very important
legislation the week before Memorial Day to honor the Devil's Brigade.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 324, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. COTTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________