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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 4, 2023 01:43 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Chris Pielli |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution Recognizing Pennsylvania’s Contributions to the Battle of the Bulge |
| While the Battle of the Bulge is remembered as the largest U.S. land battle of WWII, resulting in over 80,000 U.S. casualties, it is important that we give special recognition to the Pennsylvania soldiers and airmen who played a decisive role in the events of the battle. Without the courage of Pennsylvania troops against overwhelming odds, the 101st and other units would not have been able to arrive in Bastogne before the German Army, and the history of this battle and the war might have been told very differently. This resolution will highlight the heroism of Pennsylvania’s 28th Division units in repelling the relentless German infantry attacks in the earliest hours of the assault and recognize their tremendous courage and sacrifice made when German Panzer units were able to finally bridge the rivers dividing the line and send an overwhelming number of tanks against them. That hard-fought delay, which slowed the German offensive for up to four days, enabled most of the 101st Airborne to make it to Bastogne just before the German Army encircled the city. In addition to soldiers, Pennsylvania pilots were heroes during the battle. Take Ed Cotrell, originally from Slippery Rock, and later a teacher at West Chester University in my district: Ed flew dozens of missions in his P-47 Thunderbolt, from skip-bombing missions in Germany to dive-bombing Tiger tanks east of Cologne, headed to Bastogne. My resolution will recognize all of these efforts, achieved by the sacrifices of thousands of U.S. troops — many of whom never had the chance to return home. During this battle, the United States suffered more than 80,000 casualties, amongst them, nearly 20,000 dead and more than 23,000 individuals captured. In memory of these servicemen, this resolution will also request that the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) create, publish, and present materials about the Battle of the Bulge and the special heroism displayed by Pennsylvania soldiers, airmen, and military units in time for the 80th Anniversary in 2024. Many of us have read or watched “Band of Brothers,” and I had the honor to meet William “Wild Bill” Guarnere from Philadelphia, a member of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division. This resolution will recognize his bravery and the courage of so many others in their defense of Bastogne from the German troops surrounding them. Former Representative Thomas P. Murt offered a resolution to recognize the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in 2019 and 2020, and I in turn would like to extend and amplify our Commonwealth’s recognition of the soldiers and airmen of this battle. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important resolution honoring our service and sacrifice to the “greatest American battle of the war.” |
Introduced as HR275