07-R171

2007 -- H 6267

Enacted 04/10/07

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

DEDICATING THE 2007 RHODE ISLAND HOUSE SESSION TO THE WORLD WAR II SUBMARINE VETERANS

Introduced By: Representatives Carter, Fox, Watson, Moffitt, and Loughlin

Date Introduced: April 10, 2007

     WHEREAS, After the fateful day of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl

Harbor and destroyed much of America's surface fleet, our nation was dependent on the

Submarine Fleet to bring the attack to the enemy and buy time to allow the United States to

rebuild its surface fleet; and

     WHEREAS, The United States Naval Submarine force performed valiantly and

heroically during our nation's time of greatest need. They sank 201 Japanese warships, 1,113

Merchant ships and 500 tons of shipping. They made it exceedingly difficult for the Japanese

navy to reinforce and supply its troops during crucial battles such as Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.

At their peak level of performance, the United States Naval Submarine force destroyed Japanese

ships three times faster than they could repair them; and

     WHEREAS, Fifty-five percent of all Japanese ships sunk by the United States Navy

during World War II were destroyed by the Submarine Fleet. In addition to sinking Japanese

ships, the American Submarine force laid mines, deployed secret agents, delivered guerilla

leaders to various islands in the Pacific, transported troops, rescued refugees, hauled ammunition

and supplies, and rescued 504 downed American fliers, including President George H.W. Bush;

and

     WHEREAS, Arguably no other branch of service during World War II offered the level

of stress as serving on a Submarine did to the gallant men in the Submarine Fleet. From depth

charge attacks to dangerous mine fields along with the extremely high stress of deploying for up

to 45 days at a time in very claustrophobic conditions, America's Submarine servicemen

answered this nation's call to duty and performed heroically under extreme duress; and

     WHEREAS, Tragically, there is often an extremely high price paid by the good men

serving their nation. A total of 52 submarines were lost, along with 374 officers and 3,131

enlisted men. The United States Navy Submarine Fleet had the highest loss rate of any Navy unit

during World War II. One out of every five men serving on submarines lost their life; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby thanks the Submarine Veterans of World War II for their heroic

service to our nation. We promise never to forget the members of the "Silent Service" who

perished during the war, and hereby dedicate the 2007 Rhode Island House session to our nation's

World War II Submarine Veterans; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Veterans' Affairs.

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LC02726

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