H. R. 324 
One Hundred Thirteenth Congress 
of the 
United States of America 
AT THE FIRST SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, 
the third day of January, two thousand and thirteen 
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 impor-
tant 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.
H. R. 324—2 
(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 Ger-
many 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 Rep-
resentatives 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 Associa-
tion in Helena, Montana, where it shall be available for display 
or temporary loan to be displayed elsewhere, particularly at other
H. R. 324—3 
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. 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.