PUBLIC LAW 113–16—JULY 12, 2013 127 STAT. 477 

Public Law 113–16 

113th Congress 

An Act 

To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service 

Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 

Congress finds the following: 

(1) The First Special Service Force (the ‘‘Force’’), a military 

unit composed of volunteers from the United States and 

Canada, was activated in July 1942 at Fort Harrison near 

Helena, Montana. 

(2) The Force was initially intended to target military 

and industrial installations that were supporting the German 

war effort, including important hydroelectric plants, which 

would severely limit the production of strategic materials used 

by the Axis powers. 

(3) From July 1942 through June 1943, volunteers of the 

Force trained in hazardous, arctic conditions in the mountains 

of western Montana, and in the waterways of Camp Bradford, 

Virginia. 

(4) The combat echelon of the Force totaled 1,800 soldiers, 

half from the United States and half from Canada. 

(5) The Force also contained a service battalion, composed 

of 800 members from the United States, that provided important support for the combat troops. 

(6) A special bond developed between the Canadian and 

United States soldiers, who were not segregated by country, 

although the commander of the Force was a United States 

colonel. 

(7) The Force was the only unit formed during World 

War II that consisted of troops from Canada and the United 

States. 

(8) In October 1943, the Force went to Italy, where it 

fought in battles south of Cassino, including Monte La Difensa 

and Monte Majo, two mountain peaks that were a critical 

anchor of the German defense line. 

(9) During the night of December 3, 1943, the Force 

ascended to the top of the precipitous face of Monte La Difensa, 

where the Force suffered heavy casualties and overcame fierce 

resistance to overtake the German line. 

(10) After the battle for La Difensa, the Force continued 

to fight tough battles at high altitudes, in rugged terrain, 

and in severe weather. 

31 USC 5111 

note. 

July 12, 2013 

[H.R. 324] 


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127 STAT. 478 PUBLIC LAW 113–16—JULY 12, 2013 

(11) After battles on the strongly defended Italian peaks 

of Sammucro, Vischiataro, and Remetanea, the size of the Force 

had been reduced from 1,800 soldiers to fewer than 500. 

(12) For 4 months in 1944, the Force engaged in raids 

and aggressive patrols at the Anzio Beachhead. 

(13) On June 4, 1944, members of the Force were among 

the first Allied troops to liberate Rome. 

(14) After liberating Rome, the Force moved to southern 

Italy and prepared to assist in the liberation of France. 

(15) During the early morning of August 15, 1944, members 

of the Force made silent landings on Les Iles D’Hyeres, small 

islands in the Mediterranean Sea along the southern coast 

of France. 

(16) The Force faced a sustained and withering assault 

from the German garrisons as the Force progressed from the 

islands to the Franco-Italian border. 

(17) After the Allied forces secured the Franco-Italian 

border, the United States Army ordered the disbandment of 

the Force on December 5, 1944, in Nice, France. 

(18) During 251 days of combat, the Force suffered 2,314 

casualties, or 134 percent of its authorized strength, captured 

thousands of prisoners, won 5 United States campaign stars 

and 8 Canadian battle honors, and never failed a mission. 

(19) The United States is forever indebted to the acts 

of bravery and selflessness of the troops of the Force, who 

risked their lives for the cause of freedom. 

(20) The efforts of the Force along the seas and skies 

of Europe were critical in repelling the advance of Nazi Germany and liberating numerous communities in France and 

Italy. 

(21) The bond between the members of the Force from 

the United States and those from Canada has endured over 

the decades, as the members meet every year for a reunion, 

alternating between the United States and Canada. 

(22) The traditions and honors exhibited by the Force are 

carried on by 2 outstanding active units of 2 great democracies, 

the Special Forces of the United States and the Canadian 

Special Operations Regiment. 

SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. 

(a) AWARD AUTHORIZED.—The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall 

make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of the 

Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to the First Special 

Service Force, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service 

during World War II. 

(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purposes of the award 

referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (in 

this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall strike the gold medal 

with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined 

by the Secretary. 

(c) AWARD OF MEDAL.—Following the award of the gold medal 

in honor of the First Special Service Force under subsection (a), 

the medal shall be given to the First Special Service Force Association in Helena, Montana, where it shall be available for display 

or temporary loan to be displayed elsewhere, particularly at other 


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PUBLIC LAW 113–16—JULY 12, 2013 127 STAT. 479 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 324: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 159 (2013): 

May 21, considered and passed House. 

June 27, considered and passed Senate. 

Æ 

appropriate locations associated with the First Special Service 

Force, including Fort William Henry Harrison in Helena, Montana. 

SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS. 

The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the 

gold medal struck under section 2, at a price sufficient to cover 

the costs of the medal, including labor, materials, dies, use of 

machinery, and overhead expenses, and amounts received from 

the sale of such duplicates shall be deposited in the United States 

Mint Public Enterprise Fund. 

SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS. 

Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for 

purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code. 

Approved July 12, 2013. 


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