Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-06-18
ext Of Eisenhower/s Address to CONGRESS
Supreme Allied Commander Pays High Tribute
To Bravery and Fighting Ability Of Americans

9ntln9 ADlIIty or Amerlc
with a cheerfulness that
won the admiration Of VI Americans.
In critical moments Mr.. Churchill
did not hesitate to cut Britain's
already reduced rations to provide
more shipping for war purposes.
Their overburdened railways had to
absorb additional loads until prAc-
tically al passenger trafic was
suspended and even essential goods
could be moved only on an emer-
gency basis
British Hospitality Appreciated.
For the hospitality the British
offered us, for the discomforts they
endured on our behalf, for the sac-'
rifaces they made for the success Of
operations, every American ac-
quainted with the facts will always
carry for them q warm and grateful
place deep within his heart.
Under these two great war leaders
were the combined British American
chiefs Of staff who were my direct
military superiors and the channel
through whom I received all my
orders. Their unwaverine support,
their expressed and implied conf
dence, their wise direction, and their
friendliness in contact, were things
to which I am happy to bear witness.
They devised the machinery by
which huge Allied forces were put
together IS d single unit, and
through them were supplemented the
great military purposes that America
and Great Britain agreed upon to
further the political detectives of
the war in Europe.
The spirit of unison that they de-
veloped was absorbed by the forces
in the field.
In no place was this vital unity
more strikingly evidenced than
among the individuals that served
as my principal commanders and
on nv stan. British and Americans
forgot differences in customs and
methods-even national prejudice
in their devotion to a common
cause. Often, have I thanked a
kind providence for these staunch
Allies, from highest commander to
the newest recruit, and for their
readiness to serve within the team.
Respects Allies Fighting Hearts.
From our first battle associations
with the British Air Forces In Eng
land, with her Navy in the African
invasion, and with the British
Armies in North Africa, we have
measured their quality through
many months of war. We well
know and respect the fighting heart
of the British, Canadian and French
soldiers and their leaders.
This teamwork was equally strong
among the several services, Air,
Ground, Navy, and Supply. The
Nays task IN gaining our first Eu-
ropean footholds was a staggering
one. Without wearying you with
tactical details I ask you to take
my word for the truth that in
all the brilliant achievements Of
the American Navy, and of her sis
ter service in Great Britain, there is
none to excel the record that was
written in the great and successful
invasions Of Africa, Sicily. Italy and
France. With the Navy was always
the Merchant Marine, in which
Americans have served with a de.
votion to duty and a disregard fol
danger and hardship that defles
any attempt to describe.
To the Air Forces, without whose
great services all else would have
been futile, 1--all Of us-owe similar
debts OF gratitude. Perhaps 1t is
best for me merely to say thai in
every snip, or every plane, In every
regiment, was readiness to give life
itself for the common good. And in
this statement must include the
men that have been responsible for
the tactics OF the battle itself.
AS an Allied commander, I have
tried in London and in Paris to
record something OF the debt the
United Nations owe to war leaders
Of the British Empire and Of France.
Today as an American, I would like
to give you the names of our own
oficers that will always rank high
in any list of those noted for service
to their country But any enumer-
alton would necessarily be incom-
plete, so I must content myself by
saying that, In great number, these
battle leaders of the Army, the
Navy and the Air. have served 10y
ally, devotedly and brilliantly in my
commands IN Europe and Africa.
Commanders of Real Quality.
Particularly I think you would
like to know that without exception,
their first concern. their constant
care has been the welfare-spiritual
and physical-of their men-your
sons, relatives and friends. You
have as much right to swell with
pride in the quality of the battle
commanders you have sent to Eu-
rope and Africa as you have in the
conduct Of the millions they have
led so skillfully and devotedly.
I have spoken mostly OF Ameri-
cans and British. because troops
from this country and the British
Empire always formed the bulk of
my own command. But the cam
paigns of the Red Army. crushing all
resistance in the east. played decis-
i've part in the defeat Of Germany.
The abilities Of the Soviet leaders
and the courage and fortitude OF
their fighting men-and women
stir the emotions Of any one who
admires soldierly virtues. The Soviet
people have been called upon for
terrible sacrifices in their own land.
ravished by the bestiale excuses OF
the German. Driven back to Stalin-
grad, their calm refusal to acknowl-
edge the possibility Of any other
outcome than victory will be hon.
ored in history for all time to come.
Finally when the Russian Armies
and ourselves started the great
drives that met on the Elbe. the end
was merely q matter OF days-the
Allies, East and West, linked up
and Nazi Germany was no more.
War Production ut Home.
Here at home you played . very
special part in the Soviet victory.
Large quantities of American
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