[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 23 (Monday, June 11, 2001)]
[Pages 863-864]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Proclamation 7448--Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day

 June 7, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    All of America's service personnel and veterans deserve our 
gratitude, and it is fitting to pay tribute to the United States Asiatic 
Fleet.
    The United States Navy's presence in the Far East dates to 1822. The 
Asiatic Fleet was formed in 1902, reestablished in 1910, and continued 
to serve into 1942. Through years of unrest and disturbance, the Fleet 
protected American lives and interests along the China coast and the 
Yangtze River, bearing responsibilities that were as much diplomatic as 
Naval. The Fleet also assisted civilian areas devastated by the forces 
of nature and by internal warfare.
    When the attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the United States into World 
War II, the Asiatic Fleet played a key role in the defense of the 
Philippines. Outnumbered and outgunned at sea and in the air, the Fleet 
was joined by ships of the British, Dutch, and Australian navies to 
oppose the Japanese advance through what is now Indonesia. The Fleet's 
destroyers hit the Japanese at Balikpapan and Badung Strait, and the 
cruiser Marblehead fought her way through massive air attacks off Bali 
while submarines, short of fuel and torpedoes, struck Japanese supply 
lines.
    The battle for the ``Malay Barrier'' reached its climax in the Java 
Sea. In the opening hours of March 1, 1942, the American cruiser Houston 
and the Australian cruiser Perth, outnumbered and outgunned by the 
Japanese, fought to the last in the Sunda Strait. They went down with 
their guns still firing and were followed hours later by the British 
cruiser Exeter. The remaining Allied ships were then ordered to make 
their way to Australia.
    The Asiatic Fleet was no more, but its heritage of courage and 
selfless dedication helped spur our Navy to victory in World War II. 
Since then, the Seventh Fleet has carried on the Asiatic Fleet's duties, 
earning honor in Korea and Vietnam and helping to preserve peace and 
stability in East Asia. The men and women of our Naval services who saw 
the Cold War to a peaceful conclusion and won victory in Operation 
Desert Storm are worthy descendants of the sailors and Marines who 
earned glory in the Java Sea. As we pay tribute to the memory of the 
Asiatic Fleet, I call on all Americans to join me in saluting its proud 
heritage of bravery and honor.
    The Congress, by Public Law 105-261, on October 17, 1998, has 
authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
commemoration of the United States Navy Asiatic Fleet.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 1, 2002, 
as U.S. Navy Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day. I call upon all Americans to 
observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of 
June, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:54 a.m., June 8, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on June 
11.

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