I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3767 
To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special 
Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 23, 2011 
Mr. MILLER of Florida (for himself, Mr. TURNER of Ohio, Mr. ROE of Ten-
nessee, Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan, Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. WOMACK, Mr. 
KISSELL, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. JONES, Mr. MANZULLO, and Mr. FORBES) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Fi-
nancial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administra-
tion, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each 
case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
the committee concerned 
A BILL 
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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The First Special Service Force (in this Act 
referred to as the ‘‘Force’’) was organized as a joint 
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American-Canadian unit activated in July 1942 at 
Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana. 
(2) The Force was initially intended to target 
military and industrial installations that were sup-
porting 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, volun-
teers of the Force trained in hazardous, arctic condi-
tions, in the mountains of western Montana, and the 
waterways of Camp Bradford, Virginia. 
(4) The combat echelon of the Force totaled 
1,800 soldiers—half American, half Canadian. There 
were also 800 American members of the Service 
Battalion, which provided important support for the 
combat troops. 
(5) A special bond developed between the Cana-
dian and American soldiers. They were not seg-
regated by geography, although it was commanded 
by an American colonel. 
(6) The Force was unique, as it was the only 
unit formed during World War II consisting of 
troops from 2 different countries. 
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(7) In October 1943, the Force went to Italy, 
where it fought in battles south of Cassino, including 
Monte La Difensa and Monte Majo. 
(8) These mountain peaks were a critical an-
chor of the German defense line, and on December 
3, 1943, the Force’s units ascended to the top of La 
Difensa’s precipitous face. Climbing through the 
night, the battalion suffered heavy casualties and 
overcame fierce resistance to overtake the German 
line. 
(9) After La Difensa, the Force continued to 
fight tough battles at high altitudes, in rugged ter-
rain, and in severe weather. After battles on the 
strongly defended Italian peaks of Sammucro, 
Vischiataro, and Remetanea, the Force’s combat 
units had been reduced from 1,800 to fewer than 
500. 
(10) In 1944, the Force went to the Anzio 
Beachhead for 4 months, engaging in raids and ag-
gressive patrols. On June 4, 1944, members of the 
Force were the first Allied troops to liberate Rome. 
(11) After Rome, the Force moved to southern 
Italy, where it prepared to assist in the liberation of 
France. 
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(12) During the early morning of August 15, 
1944, the Force made silent landings on Les Iles 
D’Hyeres, small islands in the Mediterranean Sea 
along the southern coast of France. They faced a 
sustained and withering assault from the German 
garrisons, as the Force progressed from the islands 
to the Franco-Italian border. 
(13) After securing the Franco-Italian border, 
the United States Army ordered the disbandment of 
the First Special Service Force on December 5, 
1944, in Nice, France. 
(14) In 251 days of combat, the Force suffered 
2,314 casualties, or 134 percent of its combat 
strength. It captured more than 30,000 prisoners, 
won 5 United States campaign stars, and 8 Cana-
dian battle honors. It never failed a mission. 
(15) The United States is forever indebted to 
the acts of bravery and selflessness of these troops, 
risking their lives in covert missions for the cause of 
freedom. 
(16) The unparalleled work of the Force along 
the seas and skies of Europe were critical in repel-
ling the Nazi advance and liberating numerous 
French and Italian communities. 
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(17) The bond between the American and Ca-
nadian service members has endured over the dec-
ades, as they continue to meet every year for re-
unions, alternating between Canada and the United 
States. 
(18) The traditions and honors exhibited by the 
First Special Service Force are carried forward with 
its lineage embracing outstanding active units of 2 
great democracies in the Special Forces of the 
United States, the Canadian Airborne Regiment, 
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 2 gold medals of ap-
propriate design to the First Special Service Force, collec-
tively, 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 medals with suitable emblems, devices, and 
inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary. 
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(c) AWARD TO SMITHSONIAN AND FIRST SPECIAL 
SERVICE FORCE ASSOCIATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Following the award of the 
gold medals in honor of the First Special Service 
Force, under subsection (a)— 
(A) one gold medal shall be given to the 
Smithsonian Institution, where it will be dis-
played as appropriate and made available for 
research; and 
(B) one gold medal shall be given to the 
First Special Service Force Association in Hel-
ena, Montana. 
(2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
the Congress that the Smithsonian Institution and 
the First Special Service Force Association should 
make the gold medals received under paragraph (1) 
available for display elsewhere, particularly at other 
appropriate locations associated with the First Spe-
cial 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 medals struck under section 2, at a 
price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals, including 
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labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead ex-
penses. 
SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS. 
Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national med-
als for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO USE FUNDS; PROCEEDS OF SALE. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO USE FUNDS.—There is author-
ized to be charged against the United States Mint Public 
Enterprise Fund, an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay 
for the cost of the medals authorized under section 2. 
(b) PROCEEDS OF SALE.—Amounts received from the 
sale of duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be 
deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise 
Fund. 
Æ 
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