[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE WORLD WAR II MERRILL'S MARAUDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the World War II Merrill's Marauders unit for their accomplishments in 
the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. The 70th anniversary of 
the disbandment of this courageous and noble unit is on August 10, 
2014.
  In 1943, almost 3,000 U.S. Army volunteers from the jungles of Panama 
and Trinidad, Guadalcanal, New Guinea, New Georgia and the United 
States, landed in Bombay, India on October 31, 1943. On January 1, 
1944, the unit was officially designated as the 5307th Composite Unit 
Provisional, code-named ``Galahad,'' and later nicknamed Merrill's 
Marauders by the press after their commander, Gen. Frank D. Merrill. 
They were the first American ground troops to fight the Japanese in 
Asia.
  Merrill's Marauders trained with Britain's Major General Orde 
Wingate's Chindits before beginning their history-making march in the 
China-Burma-India Theater, the ``forgotten'' WWII Theater. With only 
what they could carry on their backs or pack on mules, Merrill's 
Marauders walked farther, almost 1,000 miles, than any other WWII 
fighting force.
  Trudging behind enemy lines up the foothills of the Himalayas and 
into the jungles of northern Burma, Merrill's Marauders succeeded in 
capturing the only all-weather airstrip at Myitkyina on May 17, 1944. 
This feat obliterated Japan's control of the sky and enabled the Allies 
to begin flying supplies into Burma so the Ledo and Burma roads could 
be connected to open up a crucial pathway into China. Although vastly 
outnumbered, Merrill's Marauders then went on to defeat the Japanese 
18th Imperial Division in five major battles and thirty minor 
engagements.
  The volunteers of this short-lived mission were considered 
``expendable'' since a plan existed to get them into, but not out of, 
Burma. The unit was expected to have a casualty rate of more than 85 
percent. Jungle diseases ravaged their numbers so only about 300 of the 
approximately 1,300 remaining Merrill's Marauders were still fit for 
combat when they reached their objective. They later went on to join 
replacements who continued to fight in Burma as the 475th Infantry, 
which became part of the Mars Task Force.
  For their accomplishments in the China-Burma-India Theater of 
Operations, the Merrill's Marauders unit was awarded the Presidential 
Unit Citation. They also have the extremely rare distinction of every 
member of the unit receiving the Bronze Star Medal. There were also six 
Distinguished Service Crosses, four Legions of Merit and fourty-four 
Silver Star Medals awarded. Twenty-five Merrill's Marauders have been 
inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame.
  The legacy of the Merrill's Marauders continues to be honored today 
by members of the 75th Ranger Regiment, headquartered at Fort Benning, 
Georgia, who wear the Marauder patch as their crest. Camp Frank D. 
Merrill, where the mountain phase of today's vigorous Army Ranger 
training takes place in north Georgia, is named in honor of the unit's 
commanding general.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute 
to the Merrill's Marauders for their steadfast courage and commitment 
to serving our country during World War II. The Merrill's Marauders 
made significant contributions in safeguarding our liberties as 
Americans seventy years ago and we honor their outstanding valor and 
patriotic service that helped make America the great nation it is 
today.

                          ____________________