III 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 439 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JUNE 15, 2004 
Received and referred to the Committee on Armed Services 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Concurrent resolution honoring the members of the Army 
Motor Transport Brigade who during World War II 
served in the trucking operation known as the Red Ball 
Express for their service and contribution to the Allied 
advance following the D-Day invasion of Normandy, 
France. 
Whereas June 6, 2004, the 60th anniversary of the World 
War II D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, was ob-
served by Americans with numerous commemorations of 
the sacrifices of those who fought to preserve the liberty 
and freedom of the people of the United States;
HCON 439 RFS 
Whereas commemoration of those sacrifices and the recollec-
tion of those who served should include all who served, 
including those who performed critical logistics functions; 
Whereas after the breakout from the beachheads at Nor-
mandy following the D-Day landings, Allied forces began 
a rapid advance across France, with the result that ad-
vancing units in many cases began to outrun their sup-
plies of fuel, food, and ammunition; 
Whereas on August 21, 1944, in response to the need for re-
supply of rapidly advancing forces, the Army Motor 
Transportation Service created a trucking operation 
called the Red Ball Express which began operations on 
August 25, 1944; 
Whereas the Red Ball Express was a massive convoy effort 
to speed supplies to the Allied armies advancing across 
France; 
Whereas the convoy system stretched from Normandy to 
Paris and eventually to the front in the northeastern bor-
derland of France; 
Whereas by ensuring that United States and other Allied sol-
diers were properly resupplied, the Red Ball Express 
played a major role in the defeat of Nazi Germany; 
Whereas members of the Red Ball Express persevered 
through arduous driving conditions and constant threats 
of ground and aerial ambushes and performed their du-
ties with precision and efficiency; 
Whereas the Red Ball Express was in operation for 82 days 
and, by the time Red Ball Express operations were con-
cluded in November 1944, Red Ball Express truckers had 
delivered over 410,000 tons of fuel, ammunition, food,
HCON 439 RFS 
and other essential supplies for the Allied forces to suc-
ceed in Europe; 
Whereas, during World War II, many commanders believed 
that African-Americans were not suitable for combat du-
ties and relegated them to service, support, and supply 
missions; 
Whereas the majority of Red Ball Express drivers were Afri-
can-Americans; 
Whereas the success of the Allied advance through France 
was made possible by the soldiers who drove the supply 
trucks; and 
Whereas the members of the Army Motor Transport Brigade 
who participated in the Red Ball Express contributed un-
selfishly to the war effort despite the indignities and dou-
ble standards that they endured: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress honors the members of the 
Army Motor Transport Brigade who during World War 
II served in the trucking operation known as the Red Ball 
Express for their service and contribution to the Allied ad-
vance following the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France. 
Passed the House of Representatives June 14, 2004. 
Attest: 
JEFF TRANDAHL, 
Clerk.