Recognizes the exemplary service and sacrifice of the members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) during the Korean War, and the support and sacrifice exhibited by their families.
Commends such members and their families, and all other members of the Armed Forces who served or are serving in support of U.S. military contingency operations, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1211 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1211
Expressing the appreciation of Congress for the service and sacrifice
of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), United States Army,
which was the first and only all-African-American Ranger Company in the
Army.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 23, 2010
Ms. Watson submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the appreciation of Congress for the service and sacrifice
of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne), United States Army,
which was the first and only all-African-American Ranger Company in the
Army.
Whereas the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was the first and only all-
African-American Ranger Company in the United States Army;
Whereas, on July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order
9981, which officially desegregated the United States Armed Forces;
Whereas, on June 25, 1950, the North Korean Army crossed the 38th parallel and
invaded South Korea;
Whereas, on September 19, 1950, the 504th Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was
designated at Fort Benning, Georgia, and consisted of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and
4th Companies, which entered the Ranger Training Center;
Whereas in November 1950, 4th Company was designated as the 2nd Ranger Infantry
Company (Airborne);
Whereas personnel from the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) were taken
from the 3rd Battalion, 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment and the 80th
Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division;
Whereas the first company commander of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company was 1st
Lieutenant Warren E. Allen of Los Angeles, California;
Whereas, on December 9, 1950, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) left
the United States en route to Korea;
Whereas, on December 30, 1950, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne)
arrived at Taegu Air Force Base, Korea, and was assigned to the Eighth
United States Army and attached to the 7th Infantry Division;
Whereas, on January 5, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) arrived
in Wonju via Tanyang with the mission of blocking enemy threats;
Whereas, on January 7, 1951, outside the Tanyang Pass, the 2nd Ranger Infantry
Company saw its first combat action in Korea;
Whereas the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was assigned to protect an
important rail line running through Central Korea at Tanyang Pass since
the rail line allowed essential supplies to travel to the units further
north fighting to halt the advance of Chinese Communist forces;
Whereas during 2nd Ranger Infantry Company's first combat operation, Sergeant
First Class Isaac Baker was killed and Rangers Webb Paulding and Wheeler
Small were wounded;
Whereas, on January 14, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Company (Airborne) entered the
village of Majori-ri with the mission of taking possession of the
village and then continuing the assault with another unit, and in the
action suffered 8 Rangers killed and 10 wounded;
Whereas, on March 23, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne)
participated in the First United Nations Counteroffensive via airborne
assault landing with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team at
Munsan-ni, Korea;
Whereas during the Counteroffensive, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne),
under the command of Captain Warren E. Allen, became the first all-
African-American unit to make a parachute jump behind enemy lines;
Whereas, in recognition of its service during the Counteroffensive, the 2nd
Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) received the Bronze Arrowhead for
Parachute Assault at Munsan-ni;
Whereas in March 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) participated
in an assault on enemy-held Hill 151, and during the attack Private
First Class William Van Dunk was killed and Sergeant First Class
Boatwright and Sergeant Robertson were wounded;
Whereas, on May 20, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) led an
assault on enemy-held Hill 581;
Whereas 17 members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) were wounded in
the assault on Hill 581, and 7 Rangers were subsequently cited for
bravery for their actions in the assault;
Whereas, on June 11, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) occupied a
position in what was known as the ``KANSAS Line'' in the vicinity of the
Hwachon Reservoir;
Whereas, on July 8, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) assaulted
and occupied enemy-held Hill 545 in the vicinity of Yonochanga during
the last engagement of the 1951 Spring Offensive;
Whereas after the Hill 545 engagement, the members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry
Company (Airborne) were gradually reassigned to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th,
and 8th Ranger Companies;
Whereas, on August 1, 1951, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was
officially inactivated;
Whereas during the Korean War, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) had 12
members killed in action; and
Whereas during the Korean War, members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company
(Airborne) were awarded 9 Silver Stars, 11 Bronze Stars, and 103 Purple
Hearts: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the exemplary service and sacrifice of the
members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) during
the Korean War and the support and sacrifice exhibited by their
families; and
(2) commends the members of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company
(Airborne) and their families (and all of the other members of
the Armed Forces who have served, or who are currently serving,
in support of United States military contingency operations)
for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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