[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3912]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE USS ``RALPH TALBOT'' FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE

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                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the time to 
recognize the meritorious service of the destroyer USS Ralph Talbot 
during World War II.
  Mr. Frank Urbanowicz, who lives in Janesville, Wisconsin, has worked 
tirelessly to establish formal recognition of the destroyer's actions 
through the Presidential Unit Citation. While the Navy has not acted, I 
would like to share with you a brief history of the destroyer and the 
significance of its actions.
  Early in her career, the USS Ralph Talbot entered World War II during 
the attack on Pearl Harbor. The destroyer reacted immediately, 
retaliating with gunfire and later patrolling the area in search of 
enemy submarines. As the war in the Pacific intensified in 1942, the 
USS Ralph Talbot found herself near the Soloman Islands where, at Savo 
Island, the destroyer engaged in a heated exchange of gunfire with the 
enemy that left the ship badly damaged.
  After repairs the USS Ralph Talbot reentered the conflict in 1943, 
taking an active role in late June and July with the New Georgia 
campaign in the Soloman Islands. Her vital actions include rescuing 300 
survivors from the downed ship USS McCawley, providing cover to landing 
troops, and bombing enemy-held areas. These engagements had prompted a 
recommendation for the Presidential Unit Citation by Commander 
Destroyer Squadron Twelve.
  The USS Ralph Talbot continued patrol and escort duties in the 
region, as well as landing cover. In 1945, the destroyer commenced 
duties near Japan, facing difficulty early on with a kamikaze attack 
that again brought considerable damage. The attack, though, failed to 
dampen the resolve of the USS Ralph Talbot and her crew. She went on to 
continue patrolling and escorting for the remainder of the war. 
Following the war, the destroyer was used in atomic tests that 
ultimately led to her decommission, thus ending a career that earned 12 
battle stars during World War II.
  I share this with you in the hope that we may honor the dedication 
and fearless service of the USS Ralph Talbot and her crew. The efforts 
of this destroyer played a vital role in one of the most decisive times 
in our modern history.
  Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I commend the service of the USS 
Ralph Talbot and believe we can all look to her with appreciation and 
gratitude.

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