[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 110 (Friday, June 23, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE U.S. ARMY'S 54TH COAST ARTILLERY REGIMENT

  (Mr. PANETTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the service and the 
legacy of the United States Army's 54th Coast Artillery Regiment that 
served during World War II.
  As the Army's only all-Black heavy artillery regiment in World War 
II, they were given used weapons and secondhand uniforms from World War 
I. Despite that lack of fancy gear and guns, the men of the 54th stood 
firm and stood fast as they guarded the entire central coast of 
California, from San Francisco Bay to Port San Luis, from Morro Bay to 
Monterey Bay, and from Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz to Point Pinos 
Lighthouse in Pacific Grove.
  Through their service, but also through their social lives, the 
soldiers impacted and became entwined in our community. They formed a 
local baseball league during their assignment, and after their service 
some even returned to the Central Coast to serve our community.
  Mr. Speaker, the history of the all-Black 54th Coast Artillery 
Regiment is not just important to the 19th Congressional District, but 
it is about the broader story of our military. Americans of all levels, 
all races, all genders, all creeds coming together to fulfill their 
responsibility of living in our democracy by defending our communities 
and serving our country.

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