House measure honors WWII special forces: 'The Devil's Brigade' would be awarded congressional medal
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/art...essional-medal
WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill Tuesday that would award the congressional gold medal to the First Special Service Force, an elite strike force that started in Montana during World War II.
“The bravery and valor of the Army special forces — more commonly known as the Green Berets — are well known to most Americans. But many don’t realize that this unit was born out of the First Special Service Force and the courageous soldiers who fought for it during World War II,” Rep. Tom Cotton of Arkansas told his colleagues on the House floor in introducing the bill for consideration.
Cotton, a Republican, said the congressional gold medal would both recognize the men who served for their “heroic service” and also “ensure that this unit attains the historic recognition that it deserves.”
Only a couple hundred veterans remain of the 3,300 who made up the joint American-Canadian commando unit, created in 1942 to take on the most dangerous military missions. The unit, memorialized in the 1968 movie “The Devil’s Brigade,” trained at Fort Harrison near Helena.
The bill, which passed the House on a unanimous 415-0 vote, would provide for two gold medals to be awarded on behalf of the men who served. One would go to the Smithsonian Institution to be displayed; the other would go to the First Special Services Force Association, based in Helena.
Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana has made it his mission to get the bill passed before he retires from Congress next year.
“Without these brave volunteers, there would be no Special Forces today,” Baucus said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of Congress’ highest honor.”
Baucus’ bill in the Senate has 30 supporters, including Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana. The bill needs the support of 67 senators before it can be voted on by the full Senate.
“The Devil’s Brigade represented the very best of our greatest generation that defeated tyranny around the world,” Tester said. “The congressional gold medal is a small token of this nation’s gratitude, but an ever-lasting reminder of the sacrifices these men made for all of us.”
Republican Rep. Steve Daines of Montana voted for the bill in the House; he also is a co-sponsor of the measure.
“Montana has a strong legacy of military service, which is truly exemplified by the First Special Service Force and its important place in our state’s history,” Daines said. “I am proud that the First Special Service Force, which got its start at Fort Harrison in Montana, is being recognized for the lasting impact that it has had on our military and our nation.”
Contact Malia Rulon Herman at
mrulon@gannett.com or @mrulon on Twitter.