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Recognition

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Week Ending August 1, 2008

H.RES.1248 Recognizing the service of the USS Farenholt and her men who served our Nation with valor and bravery in the South Pacific during World War II.

The WW II accomplishments of the US destroyer are listed in this resolution’s preamble.

More resolution below…

Sponsor:  Rep. Brad Ellsworth (IN-8^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote July 30, 2008

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost

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Whereas the USS Farenholt (DD 491) was launched on November 19, 1941, by Bethlehem Steel Company in Staten Island, New York, and commissioned on April 2, 1942, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard;

Whereas the Farenholt, a 1620-ton Benson-class destroyer, sailed from San Diego on July 1, 1942, for the Pacific;

Whereas the Farenholt, known as the `Fightin' F', participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942, which marked the first American land offensive of the war;

Whereas the Farenholt, a flagship for Destroyer Squadron 12, served as an escort for the carrier, the USS Wasp, which on September 15, 1942, was attacked by 2 enemy submarines;

Whereas as the Wasp sunk, the Farenholt rescued 143 survivors;

Whereas the Farenholt, during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the night of October 11, 1942, exhibited tactical might by joining an American force that successfully intercepted and defeated enemy destroyers and cruisers;

Whereas the Farenholt sunk an enemy destroyer despite receiving three hits and having her torpedo tube rendered inoperative, leaving 4 of her men dead and 43 wounded;

Whereas during the Battle of Cape Esperance, the Farenholt remained afloat despite the amount of water that flooded aboard the ship due to the severe damage inflicted by the three hits;

Whereas the men aboard the ship saved the Farenholt from sinking by shifting topside weights to starboard, thus bringing the holes created by direct shell hits out of the water saving the Farenholt so she could fight another day;

Whereas on the night of February 17, 1944, the Farenholt steamed up the St. George Channel and bombarded Rabaul, Solomon Islands, a stronghold of the enemy;

Whereas Rabaul was heavily fortified and hosted approximately 100,000 enemy troops;

Whereas during the Rabaul raid, the Farenholt fired 214 salvos and inflicted heavy damage on shore installations at Rabaul and sunk 2 merchant ships;

Whereas General MacArthur said of the February Rabaul raid, `Heartiest congratulations to you and all concerned in Rabaul air strikes. The relentlessness of the attacks and their effectiveness have aroused admiration and enthusiasm everywhere. The daring and successful destroyer raids were also splendid in every way and were conceived and accomplished in the best Farragut manner';

Whereas one week later, on February 25, 1944, the Farenholt participated in a similar raid, this time at Kavieng which drew heavy fire from the shore, and the Farenholt was damaged on the starboard side and, once again, her men saved the ship;

Whereas the men of the Farenholt accounted for 2 Navy Cross awards, 2 were awarded the Silver Star Medal, 5 were awarded the Bronze Star Medal, 8 received Letters of Commendation, and approximately 46 Purple Hearts were awarded for those killed or wounded in action;

Whereas the men of the USS Farenholt and their loving spouses, widows, and children celebrated their 16th reunion in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2007, and will celebrate their 17th reunion in Santa Clara, California, on September 17, 2008 through September 21, 2008; and

Whereas the men of the Farenholt represent the bravery and selfless sacrifice of the greatest generation: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the courageous men who served aboard the USS Farenholt in the South Pacific during World War II who protected America and its freedom; and

(2) recognizes the contributions of the USS Farenholt and commends the honorable men who served aboard the USS Farenholt, for their selfless service to the Nation.

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