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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1211 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1211

 Expressing the appreciation of Congress for the service and sacrifice 
  of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), United States Army, 
which was the first and only all-African-American Ranger Company in the 
                                 Army.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 23, 2010

 Ms. Watson submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the appreciation of Congress for the service and sacrifice 
  of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), United States Army, 
which was the first and only all-African-American Ranger Company in the 
                                 Army.

Whereas the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was the first and only all-
        African-American Ranger Company in the United States Army;
Whereas, on July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 
        9981, which officially desegregated the United States Armed Forces;
Whereas, on June 25, 1950, the North Korean Army crossed the 38th parallel and 
        invaded South Korea;
Whereas, on September 19, 1950, the 504th Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was 
        designated at Fort Benning, Georgia, and consisted of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 
        4th Companies, which entered the Ranger Training Center;
Whereas in November 1950, 4th Company was designated as the 2nd Ranger Infantry 
        Company (Airborne);
Whereas personnel from the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) were taken 
        from the 3rd Battalion, 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment and the 80th 
        Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division;
Whereas the first company commander of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company was 1st 
        Lieutenant Warren E. Allen of Los Angeles, California;
Whereas, on December 9, 1950, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) left 
        the United States en route to Korea;
Whereas, on December 30, 1950, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) 
        arrived at Taegu Air Force Base, Korea, and was assigned to the Eighth 
        United States Army and attached to the 7th Infantry Division;
Whereas, on January 5, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) arrived 
        in Wonju via Tanyang with the mission of blocking enemy threats;
Whereas, on January 7, 1951, outside the Tanyang Pass, the 2nd Ranger Infantry 
        Company saw its first combat action in Korea;
Whereas the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was assigned to protect an 
        important rail line running through Central Korea at Tanyang Pass since 
        the rail line allowed essential supplies to travel to the units further 
        north fighting to halt the advance of Chinese Communist forces;
Whereas during 2nd Ranger Infantry Company's first combat operation, Sergeant 
        First Class Isaac Baker was killed and Rangers Webb Paulding and Wheeler 
        Small were wounded;
Whereas, on January 14, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Company (Airborne) entered the 
        village of Majori-ri with the mission of taking possession of the 
        village and then continuing the assault with another unit, and in the 
        action suffered 8 Rangers killed and 10 wounded;
Whereas, on March 23, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) 
        participated in the First United Nations Counteroffensive via airborne 
        assault landing with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team at 
        Munsan-ni, Korea;
Whereas during the Counteroffensive, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), 
        under the command of Captain Warren E. Allen, became the first all-
        African-American unit to make a parachute jump behind enemy lines;
Whereas, in recognition of its service during the Counteroffensive, the 2nd 
        Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) received the Bronze Arrowhead for 
        Parachute Assault at Munsan-ni;
Whereas in March 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) participated 
        in an assault on enemy-held Hill 151, and during the attack Private 
        First Class William Van Dunk was killed and Sergeant First Class 
        Boatwright and Sergeant Robertson were wounded;
Whereas, on May 20, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) led an 
        assault on enemy-held Hill 581;
Whereas 17 members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) were wounded in 
        the assault on Hill 581, and 7 Rangers were subsequently cited for 
        bravery for their actions in the assault;
Whereas, on June 11, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) occupied a 
        position in what was known as the ``KANSAS Line'' in the vicinity of the 
        Hwachon Reservoir;
Whereas, on July 8, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) assaulted 
        and occupied enemy-held Hill 545 in the vicinity of Yonochanga during 
        the last engagement of the 1951 Spring Offensive;
Whereas after the Hill 545 engagement, the members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry 
        Company (Airborne) were gradually reassigned to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 
        and 8th Ranger Companies;
Whereas, on August 1, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was 
        officially inactivated;
Whereas during the Korean War, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) had 12 
        members killed in action; and
Whereas during the Korean War, members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company 
        (Airborne) were awarded 9 Silver Stars, 11 Bronze Stars, and 103 Purple 
        Hearts: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the exemplary service and sacrifice of the 
        members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) during 
        the Korean War and the support and sacrifice exhibited by their 
        families; and
            (2) commends the members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company 
        (Airborne) and their families (and all of the other members of 
        the Armed Forces who have served, or who are currently serving, 
        in support of United States military contingency operations) 
        for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States.
                                 <all>
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