[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24569-24570]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1600
 EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND THANKS FOR THE SERVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE 
303RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY) UPON THE OCCASION OF THE FINAL REUNION 
                OF THE 303RD BOMB GROUP (H) ASSOCIATION

  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 604) expressing the Nation's sincerest 
appreciation and thanks for the service of the members of the 303rd 
Bombardment Group (Heavy) upon the occasion of the final reunion of the 
303rd Bomb Group (H) Association, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 604

       Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 
     on February 3, 1942, at Pendleton Field, Oregon, and trained 
     at Gowen Field, Idaho, from February 11, 1942, until June 17, 
     1942;
       Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) was stationed in 
     Molesworth, England, and comprised of the 358th Bombardment 
     Squadron, the 359th Bombardment Squadron, the 360th 
     Bombardment Squadron, and the 427th Bombardment Squadron;
       Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H), also known as 
     ``Hell's Angels'', arrived at Molesworth, England on 
     September 12, 1942, and bravely fought in World War II;
       Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) support personnel 
     sailed on the Queen Mary on September 5, 1942, and arrived at 
     Greenock, Scotland, on September 11, 1942, the flight crews 
     flew to Kellogg Field, Michigan, then to Dow Field, Maine, to 
     start their flights to England across the Atlantic Ocean;
       Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) flew its first 
     combat mission on November 17, 1942, and its last mission on 
     April 25, 1945;
       Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group's B-17 ``Hell's 
     Angels'' was the first to successfully complete 25 combat 
     missions on May 13, 1943;
       Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) flew 364 combat 
     missions against enemy targets, the most of any B-17 Bomb 
     Group in the 8th Air Force during World War II;
       Whereas two 303rd Bombardment Group (H) airmen were awarded 
     the Congressional Medal of Honor, four were awarded the 
     Distinguished Service Cross, 33 were awarded the Silver Star, 
     and approximately 1,200 Purple Hearts were awarded for those 
     killed or wounded in action;
       Whereas the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) adopted the motto 
     "Might in Flight" in October 1942 and lived up to it on each 
     of their 364 combat missions;
       Whereas 165 aircraft in the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) 
     were listed as missing in action (MIA);
       Whereas the original 303rd Bombardment Group (H) was 
     inactivated on July 25, 1945, at Casablanca;
       Whereas the veterans of the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) 
     formed the 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association in 1975 to 
     provide opportunities for 303rd veterans, families, and 
     friends to meet;
       Whereas the veterans of the 303rd Bomb Group (H) 
     Association memorialize and perpetuate the memory of 303rd 
     Bombardment Group (H) comrades lost during World War II, and 
     who have since passed away;
       Whereas due to age and the declining health of the 303rd 
     Bombardment Group (H) veterans, the 303rd Bomb Group (H) 
     Association Board of Directors has made the difficult 
     decision to dissolve the Association at the end of 2007; and
       Whereas the 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association's final 
     reunion will be held in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2007 
     through September 23, 2007: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That--
       (1) The dedicated men and women who served in the 8th Air 
     Force, 303rd Bombardment Group (H), "Hell's Angels", 
     including the nearly 5,000 listed as missing in action, 
     during World War II are heroes and champions of American 
     freedom; and
       (2) The House of Representatives, on behalf of a grateful 
     nation, recognizes the final reunion of the 303rd Bomb Group 
     (H) Association and commends the honorable members of the 
     Association, who never once turned away from their assigned 
     target, for their selfless service to our country.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Holden). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) and the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Turner) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Hampshire.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 604, 
expressing the Nation's sincerest appreciation and thanks for the 
service of the members of the 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) upon the 
occasion of their final reunion. I thank my colleague from Michigan 
(Mr. McCotter) for bringing this measure before the House.
  Our history is rich with heroes who have risen above and beyond the 
call of duty in service to our great Nation. The American flag billows 
proudly above this Capitol building, and even more boldly behind your 
seat, Mr. Speaker, due to the extraordinary heroism of our servicemen 
in times of war.
  The 303rd Bombardment Group is certainly part of this legacy. Two 
303rd Bombardment Group airmen, Technical Sergeant Forrest Vosler and 
First Lieutenant Jack Mathis, were awarded the Congressional Medal of 
Honor, four were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, 33 were 
awarded the Silver Star, approximately 1,200 Purple Hearts were awarded 
for those killed or wounded in action, and over 5,000 were listed as 
missing in action during World War II. While these numbers make me 
proud to be an American, statistics alone cannot begin to comprehend 
the tremendous service they have done for all of us.
  The members of the 303rd Bomb Group Association have provided 
opportunities for 303rd veterans, families and friends to meet, and 
have perpetuated the memory of the 303rd Bombardment Group comrades 
lost during World War II, since the organization was founded in 1975.
  And while the 303rd Bomb Group Association is meeting this week for 
the final time, the United States House of Representatives and our 
great Nation can express its sincerest thanks for their service by 
carrying forth the mission statement of the 303rd Bomb Group 
Association and making timeless the memory of their successes and 
sacrifices by memorializing their history in law.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 604.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I speak in support of House Resolution 604, which 
expresses the Nation's appreciation and thanks for the servicemembers 
of the 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) upon the occasion of the final 
reunion of the 303rd Bomb Group Association.
  Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate to learn that the 303rd Bomb Group 
Association will dissolve following their final reunion this week in 
Arlington, Virginia. The declining number of these courageous veterans 
makes it difficult for the association to continue their annual 
reunions.

[[Page 24570]]

  With that being said, Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to pay 
tribute to the valiant men of the 303rd Bombardment Group known as 
``Hell's Angels.''
  Activated in February 1942 at Pendleton, Oregon, the 303rd was an 
Eighth Air Force Bomber Group that flew the mighty B-17 Flying Fortress 
out of Molesworth, England. Living up to their adopted motto, ``Might 
in Flight,'' the air crews flew a record 364 combat missions against 
enemy targets, the most of any B-17 Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force 
during World War II.
  For its actions in the skies over Europe, the group was awarded a 
Distinguished Unit Citation in January 1944, two of the heroic crew men 
of the 303rd were awarded with Congressional Medal of Honor, and four 
earned the Distinguished Service Cross.
  For all of their accomplishments, the members of the Bomb Group paid 
a heavy price in casualties, aircraft losses, and capture by the enemy. 
Their determination to complete the mission regardless of the 
opposition or the odds carried them through their losses and on to 
victory in the air.
  Mr. Speaker, given the history of outstanding service by the 303rd 
Bombardment Group during World War II, as well as the last reunion of 
the veterans of the 303rd taking place this week, it is fitting that we 
take the time today to recognize and honor their service. I therefore 
strongly urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Mr. McCotter of Michigan for 
such time as he might consume.
  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the sponsor of the 
resolution and the chairman of the committee, the ranking member, and 
all of my colleagues who are joining me in support of honoring the 
heroic members of the 303rd Bombardment Group.
  It has rightly been said that they were the greatest generation; and 
yet, it is important, through the adoption of resolutions and other 
instances, where we, as a people, recognize their sacrifice for the 
very liberty upon which our free Republic is founded, always remember 
that their service to our Nation did not end with World War II, for 
they continued in their transition to civilian life where they also 
helped form the foundation of our Nation. But it is also critical that, 
too, at this juncture, where again another generation of Americans 
finds themselves tasked with defending freedom in its maximum hour of 
danger, that we never forget the example that these citizens, soldiers 
and airmen set for the rest of us, not just as a matter of history, but 
as a matter for our progeny that they may ever breathe free.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Mr. McCotter for 
bringing forth this resolution so that this body might honor the 303rd.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 604, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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