Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress, of two gold medals to the First Special Service Force (a joint American-Canadian unit), collectively, in recognition of their World War II service.
Directs one such gold medal to be given to the Smithsonian Institution and the other to the First Special Service Force Association in Helena, Montana.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates with proceeds deposited in the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Declares that medals struck under this Act are national medals for purposes of specified coins and currency provisions.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3767 Introduced in House (IH)]
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
Tennessee, 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
Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House
Administration, 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 Representatives 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 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 supporting 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, volunteers of the
Force trained in hazardous, arctic conditions, 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 Canadian and
American soldiers. They were not segregated 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.
(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 anchor 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 terrain, 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 aggressive 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.
(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 Canadian 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 repelling the Nazi advance and
liberating numerous French and Italian communities.
(17) The bond between the American and Canadian service
members has endured over the decades, as they continue to meet
every year for reunions, 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 appropriate design to the First Special Service Force, collectively,
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.
(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 displayed as
appropriate and made available for research; and
(B) one gold medal shall be given to the First
Special Service Force Association in Helena, 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 Special
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 labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and
overhead expenses.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.
Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals 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 authorized 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.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.
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