PUBLIC LAW 108–432—DEC. 3, 2004 118 STAT. 2611

Public Law 108–432

108th Congress

Joint Resolution

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during World

War II.

Whereas the battle in the European theater of operations during

World War II known as the Battle of the Bulge was fought

from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945;

Whereas the Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive

in the Ardennes forest region of Belgium and Luxembourg which

took Allied forces by surprise and was intended to split the

Allied forces in Europe by breaking through the Allied lines,

crippling the Allied fuel supply lines, and exacerbating tensions

within the alliance;

Whereas 600,000 American troops, joined by 55,000 British, Belgian, Canadian, and other soldiers, participated in the Battle

of the Bulge, overcoming numerous disadvantages in the early

days of the battle that included fewer numbers, treacherous terrain, and bitter weather conditions;

Whereas the Battle of the Bulge resulted in 81,000 American and

1,400 British casualties, of whom approximately 19,000 American

and 200 British soldiers were killed, with the remainder wounded,

captured, or listed as missing in action;

Whereas the worst atrocity involving Americans in the European

theater during World War II, known as the Malme ́dy Massacre,

occurred on December 17, 1944, when 86 unarmed American

prisoners of war were gunned down by elements of the German

1st SS Panzer Division;

Whereas American, British, Belgian, Canadian, and other forces

overcame great odds throughout the battle, including most

famously the action of the 101st Airborne Division in holding

back German forces at the key Belgian crossroads town of Bastogne, thereby preventing German forces from achieving their

main objective of reaching Antwerp as well as the Meuse River

line;

Whereas the success of American, British, Belgian, Canadian, and

other forces in defeating the German attack made possible the

defeat of Nazi Germany four months later in April 1945;

Whereas thousands of United States veterans of the Battle of the

Bulge have traveled to Belgium and Luxembourg in the years

since the battle to honor their fallen comrades who died during

the battle;

Whereas the peoples of Belgium and Luxembourg, symbolizing their

friendship and gratitude toward the American soldiers who fought

Dec. 3, 2004

[H.J. Res. 110]

118 STAT. 2612 PUBLIC LAW 108–432—DEC. 3, 2004

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 110:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004):

Nov. 16, considered and passed House.

Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.

Æ

to secure their freedom, have graciously hosted countless veterans

groups over the years;

Whereas Luxembourg has erected over 90 monuments and plaques

commemorating the liberation of Luxembourg by United States

Armed Forces during World War II;

Whereas the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 2004

will be marked by many commemorative events by citizens of

the United States, Belgium, Luxembourg, and many other

nations;

Whereas the friendship between the United States and both Belgium and Luxembourg is strong today in part because of the

Battle of the Bulge; and

Whereas section 204 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 (38

U.S.C. 2409 note) authorized the Secretary of the Army to place

in Arlington National Cemetery a memorial marker honoring

those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge: Now, therefore,

be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress—

(1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the battle in the

European theater of operations during World War II known

as the Battle of the Bulge, which began with a German surprise

attack in the Ardennes forest region of Belgium and Luxembourg and ended with an Allied victory that made possible

the defeat of Nazi Germany four months later;

(2) honors those who gave their lives during the Battle

of the Bulge;

(3) authorizes the President to issue a proclamation calling

upon the people of the United States to honor the veterans

of the Battle of the Bulge with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities; and

(4) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between the United

States and both Belgium and Luxembourg.

Approved December 3, 2004.