[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE CHARLIE RANGERS, COMPANY C, 75TH INFANTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2005

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor members of the Charlie 
Rangers, Company C of the 75th Infantry. The Charlie Rangers are 
celebrating a reunion in D.C. and will gather later today at the 
Vietnam Memorial. As a member of the Charlie Rangers 75th Infantry who 
served with these fine and extraordinary men, and as a guy who did 
nothing special myself in Vietnam, I can attest that the men of Charlie 
Rangers are very special Americans.
  Company C came into being after the Army realized the need for 
special capability elite forces. Rather than create an entirely new 
unit designation, the Department of the Army designated the 75th 
Infantry as the successor of the legendary 5307 Composite Unit which 
served with distinction during WWII. The Charlie Rangers built on the 
formidable legacy of Merrill's Marauders by providing reconnaissance, 
surveillance, target acquisition and special type combat missions.
  True to its motto of Sua Sponte, or Of Their Own Accord, Company C 
Rangers during their service in the Vietnam War, penetrated behind 
enemy lines without cover. Acting by themselves, Charlie Rangers 
slogged through enemy positions gathering critical and valuable 
information on major infiltration routes.
  The Rangers operated in vast, inhospitable terrains throughout 
Vietnam. Their prowess, coupled with boat patrols, night ambushes, and 
stay-behind infiltration techniques were instrumental in thwarting 
members of the Viet Cong and NVA. According to historical accounts, 
This company, comprised of merely several hundred men, was able to keep 
vast numbers of North Vietnamese Army troops occupied, thereby 
potentially saving numerous American troops.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud of this incredible company, the Charlie 
Rangers, and I am honored to have been able to serve in a small way 
alongside such professional and selfless soldiers. I know my colleagues 
join me in applauding them for a job well done and share my wishes for 
a memorable reunion.

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