[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14389]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 14389]]

    A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO RANGER ROBERT GEER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                 INDUCTION INTO THE RANGER HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly great 
American. An American war hero who will soon be inducted into the 
United States Army Ranger Hall of Fame. Mind you, being a Ranger to 
begin with is an honor in itself, but being inducted into the Ranger 
Hall of Fame is an honor of unbelievable proportions. On Wednesday, 
July 25, 2001, Robert Geer of Norwalk, Ohio will join the ranks of the 
elite as an inductee in to the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame in Fort 
Benning, GA.
  Soon after the conclusion of World War II, Robert Geer joined the US 
Army in 1948. His Army career only lasted 4 years, but they were 
extraordinary years. In 1950, he volunteered for the prestigious 
Rangers and was assigned to 1st Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne).
  As the Korean War escalated he was sent into action on the Asian 
continent. One particular battle in February of 1951, the Battle of 
Chipyong-Ni, ended his Army career. On February 3, the 23rd Regimental 
Combat Team (RCT), under the command of Colonel Paul Freeman, was 
ordered to hold a crossroad and protect the vital communications hub at 
Chipyong-Ni. During the next several days, patrols reported extensive 
Chinese movement. In fact, 18,000 troops were encircling the 23rd 
Regimental Combat Team's position. On February 13, the Chinese attacked 
the position. The 23rd Regimental Combat Team was overrun. Splintered 
and wounded, the Rangers and a piecemeal platoon of survivors from the 
overrun companies were ordered to retake the lost position.
  Soon the platoon leaders and officers were killed. The chaos that 
ensued prevented the make-up platoon mounting coordinated attack. The 
Ranger platoon pressed forward under heavy fire. Ranger Geer assumed 
command and continued to attack with the few remaining Rangers. As they 
were securing the position, a grenade was thrown in his direction. 
Unable to see the grenade in the deep snow, Ranger Geer thrust his 
weapon between himself and where he assumed the grenade to be. When the 
grenade exploded, shrapnel tore out his left eye and destroyed his 
weapon. Bleeding, blind in one eye, unarmed, grossly outnumbered and 
out of ammunition Ranger Geer ordered a withdrawal. He continued to 
fire, covering the withdrawal of his troops until his ammunition was 
expended. Armed only with a knife, he discovered his brother, Richard, 
who was wounded twice in the fight. Ranger Geer carried his brother's 
wounded body off the hill on that cold February day. Sadly, Richard 
paid the ultimate price and was killed in action.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly men like Ranger Robert Geer that make this 
great country what it is today. He has set an example for all Americans 
and especially his grandson. T.J. Root, who currently attends the 
United States Military Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring him and thanking him for his service to the country.

                          ____________________