Bill Summary
This legislation expresses support for designating the month of August as National Destroyer Recognition Month. It highlights the important role of destroyers in the United States Navy, citing historical events such as their involvement in World War I and II, the Korean War, and the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. It also recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of those who have served and currently serve aboard destroyers. The legislation calls for the people of the United States to observe National Destroyer Recognition Month and promote awareness of the important role destroyers play in national security and the United States' naval capabilities.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially affect current and past members of the United States Navy, particularly those who have served aboard destroyers. They may feel a sense of recognition and appreciation for their service and sacrifices.
2. The designation of a National Destroyer Recognition Month could also bring awareness to the important role that destroyers play in the United States' naval arsenal. This could potentially increase support and funding for the Navy and its operations.
3. Citizen groups or veteran organizations may organize events or activities during National Destroyer Recognition Month to honor and recognize the contributions of United States destroyers and their crews. This could bring communities and individuals together to show their support for the Navy and its members.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 229 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 229
Expressing support for designation of the month of August as National
Destroyer Recognition Month.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 14, 2019
Mr. Williams submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of the month of August as National
Destroyer Recognition Month.
Whereas the first United States torpedo boat destroyer was the USS Bainbridge
(DD-1), placed in full commission on December 23, 1903;
Whereas the United States Navy was the first service to respond in World War I
after the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, when
six destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 8, commanded by J.K. Taussig,
arrived in Queenstown, Ireland, in May of that year;
Whereas, during World War I, American destroyers prevented the loss of life or
ship of 2 million men making the trans-Atlantic journey;
Whereas in their 250 battles with German U-boats during World War I, American
destroyers sunk 1 submarine, the U-58, and laid the groundwork for
modern antisubmarine warfare;
Whereas, between June 1942 and February 1945, 175 Fletcher class destroyers were
built, and this class of ships is widely recognized as integral to the
naval war effort in World War II;
Whereas, during World War II, 19 Fletcher class destroyers were lost and 6 were
damaged beyond repair;
Whereas, during World War II, 44 Fletcher class destroyers earned 10 or more
battle stars, 19 were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, and 16
received the Presidential Unit Citation;
Whereas following their service during World War II, 32 Fletcher class
destroyers were transferred to the navies of America's allies, including
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan,
Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey;
Whereas the largest Atlantic operation destroyers participated in during World
War II was Operation Neptune, the naval component of Operation Overlord,
the invasion of Europe, on June 6, 1944;
Whereas, at Utah Beach, destroyers USS Fitch (DD-462), USS Corry (DD-463), and
USS Hobson (DD-464) were the first ships of the invasion force to shell
the shore;
Whereas, at Omaha Beach, destroyers USS Baldwin (DD-624), USS Carmick (DD-493),
USS Doyle (DD-494), USS Emmons (DD-457), USS Frankford (DD-497), USS
McCook (DD-496), and USS Thompson (DD-627) shelled the enemy
fortifications;
Whereas, at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of World War II,
two destroyers, the USS Hoel (DD-533) and the USS Johnston (DD-557) were
lost;
Whereas, at the Battle of Okinawa, destroyers were instrumental in providing
radar picket protection to Okinawa Island, and out of 101 destroyers,
destroyer minelayers, and destroyer minesweepers assigned to radar
pickets, 10 were sunk and 32 were damaged by kamikaze attacks;
Whereas a total of 76 United States destroyers were sunk during World War II;
Whereas, during the Korean war, six United States destroyers, USS Collett (DD-
730), USS De Haven (DD-727), USS Gurke (DD-783), USS Henderson (DD-785),
USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729), and USS Mansfield (DD-728), were
instrumental in clearing the beachhead prior to the amphibious assault
at the Battle of Incheon, South Korea, in September 1950;
Whereas, on August 2, 1964, the destroyer USS Maddox (DD-731) engaged in fire
with North Vietnamese Navy torpedo boats and became the impetus for the
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution;
Whereas the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) was commissioned on July 4, 1991, named
after Admiral Arleigh Burke, the longest serving Chief of Naval
Operations in the history of the United States Navy, and is the lead
ship of the Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers;
Whereas, on October 12, 2000, the USS Cole (DDG-67) was attacked by terrorists
while at anchor in Aden, Yemen, and 17 crewmembers were lost and 39
injured;
Whereas, on November 29, 2003, the USS Cole (DDG-67) redeployed on its first
overseas deployment following the attack;
Whereas, on April 7, 2017, destroyers USS Ross (DDG-78) and USS Porter (DDG-71)
fired a total of 59 Tomahawk land attack missiles on Syria's air base at
al-Shayrat, from the eastern Mediterranean Sea in response to Syria's
use of banned chemical weapons;
Whereas destroyers remain a critical component of United States naval capability
around the world, serving to protect the free flow of commerce, reassure
America's allies and partners, and deter acts of aggression against
American and allied forces; and
Whereas the establishment of the month of August as National Destroyer
Recognition Month will recognize the important contributions that United
States destroyers and those sailors serving aboard them have made to
naval warfare and American military success: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of National Destroyer
Recognition Month;
(2) supports those who have served and currently serve
aboard United States destroyers;
(3) supports the role of destroyers in the naval war
arsenal and their importance to America's national security;
and
(4) calls on the people of the United States, including
veteran groups, State and local officials, and interested
groups to observe National Destroyer Recognition Month with
appropriate programs and activities that promote awareness of
the contribution of United States destroyers and their crews.
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