III 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 577 

Honoring the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior 

service during World War II. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 22 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 21), 2012 

Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. KERRY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. TESTER, and Ms. 

MURKOWSKI) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 

and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the First Special Service Force, in recognition of 

its superior service during World War II. 

Whereas the First Special Service Force (referred to in this 

preamble as 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; 

Whereas 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; 

Whereas, from July 1942 through June 1943, volunteers of 

the Force trained in hazardous, arctic conditions in the 

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mountains of western Montana, and in the waterways of 

Camp Bradford, Virginia; 

Whereas the combat echelon of the Force totaled 1,800 soldiers, half from the United States and half from Canada; 

Whereas the Force also contained a service battalion, composed of 800 members from the United States, that provided important support for the combat troops; 

Whereas 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; 

Whereas the Force was the only unit formed during World 

War II that consisted of troops from Canada and the 

United States; 

Whereas, 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; 

Whereas, 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; 

Whereas, after the battle for La Difensa, the Force continued 

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

and in severe weather; 

Whereas, 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; 

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Whereas, for 4 months in 1944, the Force engaged in raids 

and aggressive patrols at the Anzio Beachhead; 

Whereas, on June 4, 1944, members of the Force were 

among the first Allied troops to liberate Rome; 

Whereas, after liberating Rome, the Force moved to southern 

Italy and prepared to assist in the liberation of France; 

Whereas, 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; 

Whereas the Force faced a sustained and withering assault 

from the German garrisons as the Force progressed from 

the islands to the Franco-Italian border; 

Whereas, 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; 

Whereas, 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; 

Whereas 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; 

Whereas 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; 

Whereas the bond between the members of the Force from 

the United States and those from Canada has endured 

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

reunion, alternating between the United States and Canada; and 

Whereas 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: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and honors the 

2 superior service of the First Special Service Force during 

3 World War II. 

Æ 

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