[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20331-20332]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING AND HONORING 100TH BOMB GROUP OF THE 8TH AIR CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL ENGLISH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2005

  Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor the 100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Corps. Having a history 
filled with grand achievements, it is with great pride that I commend 
these brave soldiers for their service and sacrifice during America's 
greatest war in history, World War II.
  Flying its first mission in June 1943, the 100th Bomb Group 
concentrated its military efforts against airfields, submarine 
facilities, and aircraft industries in both France and Germany. During 
this time, the coalition was active in many valiant air raids including 
the bombing of Rujkan, Norway, which delayed the completion of heavy 
water for the German atomic bomb. Throughout eight noble missions to 
Germany, the troop experienced their heaviest losses, earning them the 
nickname, ``The Bloody Hundredth.'' The 100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air 
Corps, however, did not lose hope. The group went on to fight in many 
renowned battles of World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge and 
the allied invasion of Normandy, which came to be known as D-day.

[[Page 20332]]

Overall, this courageous troop flew 306 missions, lost 229 planes and 
sacrificed 785 men which were either killed or deemed Missing in 
Action, MIA. On April 20, 1945, the group flew its last combat mission 
to Oranienburg, Berlin, with no losses.
  The freedom of the United States of America has depended upon the 
courage of men and women like the 100th Bomb Group, 8th Air Corps, for 
over 200 years. As members of the greatest military in the world, their 
time and efforts did not go unnoticed. The 100th Bomb Group received 
two Presidential Unit Citations for their efforts in Regensburg and 
Berlin, Germany, as well as the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for 
their distinguished service in France during World War II.
  On October 1, the 100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Corps will meet in 
Pittsburgh, PA, to celebrate its 60th anniversary and renew 
relationships of its members.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in celebrating the 
100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Corps on its 60th anniversary of the 
year of their final combat mission.

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