Hello a speaker of the house. It is my pri hello, as speaker of the house it is my privilege to welcome you all to the celebration of awe inspiring courage and resilience. Today we gather virtually to bestow congresss highest honor, the congressional gold medal, on nearly 3000 american heroes merrills marauders. Let us salute the family and friends who have continued to tell the story of these brave warriors, and advocated for the recognition they deserve. Thank you to the u. S. Army leaders joining us today, including secretary of the Army Christine mormoth and army chief of staff general james mcconnell. Let us recognize the members of congress who worked to make this momentous event possible, including the late senator Johnny Isaacson, who showed his Great Respect for our veterans through his the leadership of Veterans Affairs committee. A champion of marauders legacy and former congressman, peter cain, also ever voice for our nations veterans. Finally, thank you to all of those joining us on line to honor the marauders profound patriotism and unwavering devotion. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time can you please stand as you are able for the presentation of the colors, and the national anthem. [inaudible] colors present. Oh say can you see, by the dawns early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming. Whose bright stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, over the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming. And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave . For the land of the free and the home of the brave. Right shoulder. Colors, march. Latest gentlemen, please join me as we mark this very special occasion in the lords prayer. Gracious on our civil war, you are the giver of life, the igniter of faith, the provider of hope, and the author of love. Mighty one, oh ancient, you have commanded us to be strong and courageous because you are always with us. Wray save your service most humble prayer as we gather today to remember, honor, and celebrate a group of man who truly set the example for others to follow. In 1943 our nation called out, who will go for us . Who can we stand behind the japanese lines . 3000 american soldiers responded,. A the man of the 5307 composite unit merrills marauders answer the president ial call to embark on a dangerous and hazardous mission. Lord, i pray your mighty blessing on those merrills marauders who are here today to witness our nations bestowing its highest expression of National Appreciation on their unit, in recognition of their faithful service to our nations people. Bless our time together today, in your matchless and merciful name, amen. Hello from paris, i am delighted to join you today at this ceremony. I have my marauders hat, here, which i was given a few years ago, and which it is a very proud souvenir of the two years i spent researching and writing the history of the marauders in 2013 in 2014. It was an honor for me, you can hear i am englishman, to write about this finest of american units whose exploits in world war ii will live forever in history to a testament to the courage, and the fortitude, and the fellowship of a small band of men who volunteered for a hazardous mission, not knowing what it was. But wishing to do, in the parlance of the time, their bit to free the world of tyranny. And, i was fortunate enough to interview quite a number of the marauder veterans. It was humbling to hear their experiences with operations in burma. Fighting against a ferocious enemy in the japanese. But, also, enduring the debilitating diseases that ravaged the marauders. Overcoming the environment. I remember hearing tales of climbing the khumont mountains on the way, of course, they defenders. What struck me most, or what really embodies the marauders spirit, the indomitability of the marauders is the siege. And, when they resisted waves of japanese attacks, they also overcame starvation, thirst, and disease to emerge triumphant. That, for me, captures the marauders. It is why i am so proud to join you today. I am sorry i am so far away, but i am there in spirit and my thoughts are with you, god bless. I am former congressman pete king from new york, i want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi for giving me this privilege and opportunity to take part in the ceremony of the congressional gold medal for merrills marauders. I was proud to cosponsor this legislation when i was in the house along with Johnny Isaacson in the senate. It meant a great deal to me, a constituent of mine from raven hurst is a veteran of merrills marauders. He detailed for me all of their accomplishments, all of their bravery, and fought to the very and to get this legislation through. I cannot thank him enough. Sadly, he passed away weeks ago at the age of 99, but his spirit is with us today and his legacy will continue through this congressional gold medal, i also want to thank the staff who did they work in making sure this bill made it to the finish line. And, again, thank you to nancy pelosi for having it pass. And for signing it into law. Merrills marauders are legendary. What they did in the burma and china theater was so central to the campaign. They fought their way through miles of terrain. They took the airstrip, which was so central to the japanese and then became central to us winning in that region of the war. They suffered many casualties, it was extraordinary suffering they went through. They were outmanned, they were outgunned, they were engaged more than 30 battles and struggles with the japanese. But they were never out gutted. And, their victory was very central to the victory in the entire pacific. Again, they were the greatest generation, they were what it was all about and i am proud to be part of the ceremony which should be forever commemorating the bravery and courage of what it means to be an american. Thank you, all god bless america. Today we honor some of our most courageous and noble veterans of world war ii. Merrills marauders, i have been a leading supporter of the effort to bestow the congressional gold medal on these deserving soldiers, and though we cannot gather in person today, i am grateful i have this opportunity to join my colleagues and celebrating their service and valor. As a congressman representing georgias second congressional district, the home of fort benning, i am proud to be an original cosponsor of the legislation that awarded the congressional gold medal too merrills marauders. The legendary 75th Ranger Regiment, known widely as the army rangers, was headquartered at fort benning and faces its lineage to the 500 and 30 seventh composite division unit. It continues to wear the merrills marauders patch as crest. Also, the military intelligence there is named after vincent molinaro, who passed away in 2015 and was georgias last surviving member of the marauders. Merrills marauders fought in what some refer to as the forgotten china burma india theater of world war ii. They fought in treacherous jungle warfare and behind enemy lines. Often without the resources or support available to other units operating on the front lines. On more than one occasion, the unit overcame superior numbers and arms to win the day. They marauders actions were violent to the allies success, and, unparalleled in so many ways. There is also important to remember the japanese americans were members of merrills marauders serving as intelligence translators. They were crucial to the success. There were accomplishments in the china, burma, India Operations merrills marauders were awarded the president ial unit citation. Every member of the unit earned a bronze star medal, an extremely rare distinction among combat outfits. The army also awarded six distinguished services, for legions america, and 44 silver star medals to the marauders. 25 merrills marauders have been inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of fame. Today we celebrate merrills marauders service, and add one more accommodation to their legacy. By bestowing upon them the congressional gold medal. Thank you to our soldiers who served, thank you to their families who sacrificed and supported which was crucial during and after the war. And now, as we preserve their legacy. Hi, congressman mike waltz here, as a ranger qualified green berets, i am thrilled to have been a part of awarding the congressional gold medal to the heroes of the merrills marauders. I cant think of another unit that injured such hardships it behind enemy lines in the jungles of burma and southeast asia. Often kind of from their supplies and literally conducting Impossible Missions in defensive freedom. I am especially, especially thrilled that we can get this gold medal passed through the house of representatives while we still have survivors of the merrills marauders with us. Look, anything that we can do, we should be doing to recognize these types of heroes that set the stage for the worlds longest period of prosperity since world war ii. For our world order where the United States leads in line with its liberal values. And that literally gave their all in defence of freedom. God bless you, i salute you, and rangers lead the way. Hello everyone. I am congressman marc takano, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. I would like to extend my thanks to Speaker Pelosi for inviting me to speak today as we come together to honor the bravery and sacrifice of merrills marauders, with eight a congressional medal. The marauders, officially recognized as a 5307 positive unit, join a group of Exceptional Individuals and organizations as we present them with one of our nations highest honors. During world war ii the marauders spent months behind enemy lines and japanese occupied burma. The all volunteer unit, led by Brigadier General frank mural, tracked hundreds of miles through perilous jungles and mountains, while battling disease, hunger, heavy rains, and hostile troops. Through all of this, the marauders remain steadfast in their mission to disrupt japanese communications, and supply lines. After five major battles and at least 30 miter gauge ones, the marauders achieved their final objective of capturing burmas major airstrip, clearing the way for allies to open it critical supply route between india and china. More than 3000 individuals volunteered to serve across the units three battalions. By the end of the conflict, around 200 members remained. These extraordinary volunteers stepped up and served valiantly when their country needed them. Their courage and resolve, and the sacrifices of all of those lost is deserving of our highest honor and deepest gratitude. Now, thanks to the tireless work of veterans, and advocates, congress has the honor of presenting the marauders with a congressional gold medal today. To all of the veterans and their families with us today, thank you. We are eternally grateful for your bravery, and sacrifice. It is an honor and a privilege for me to be able to speak to the men of the United States armys, 5307th composite unit. Merrills marauders. A unit of legendary distinction. I am proud that we will today bestow upon them one of our nations very highest honors, the congressional gold medal. For nearly three months in 1943, the marauders undertook one of the most daring and treacherous missions of world war ii. Under constant fire, from the japanese force, and played by monsoons, diseases, scorching heat, and venomous threats, the marauders battled for nearly 1000 miles through the burmese jungle. Eventually winning back the critical airfield at. Of the 3000 americans who originally sought off on the campaign, only 200 ultimately remained standing to seize and hold the airfield. Theirs was both a remarkable and a courageous feat. The rogers ferocious tenacity, and the unimaginable conditions they endured, made then one of the most renowned units of world war ii. Throughout my time in the army, my fellow soldiers and i have often look to the broaders as the put of of bravery and inspiration in trying times. Since the american revolution, the congressional gold medal has represented the nations highest expression of appreciation for distinguished events and contributions. Although todays medal will be received by the surviving members of the marauders, it also serves as a tribute to all of those men who fell in the jungles of burma and who have passed in the year since. We owe them a debt that cannot be repaid. And todays ceremony acknowledges that indeed, freedom is not free. The congressional gold medal, awarded today to the men of merrills marauders, commemorates their service and sacrifice. With their example, we are reminded how we might take up there and finish mission to strive with courage and absolute commitment to serve the nation in order to create a more perfect union. We hello im colonel jay d. Curving knife of the sting honor of serving as the. We legacy of merrills marauders. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in honoring the marauders with the congressional gold medal. The marauders are example fall out. They werent all volunteer longrange special operations unit, charged with seizing each terrain and conditions others shied away from. Like them, the modernday ranger is a light but lethal force of volunteers, focused on strategical arrays and capable of operating in places unexpected by adversaries. Merrills marauders were comprised of six combat teams. They coded the seams red, white, blue, khaki, green, and orange. Today, the six colors can be found on the flashes of every time beret worn by a u. S. Army ranger. Our unit crest displays a star, sun, and lightning bolt capturing the behind enemy lines, each right character of the world war ii marauders. You can find this cross displayed on our uniforms and throughout our facilities. We today salute the marauders of world war ii. Your legacy is impossible to forget. You inspire us and the memory of your fellow marauders does not go forgotten. The marauders move further, faster, and fought harder and we strive to do the same. The legacy of the marauders encourage rangers in korea, vietnam, grenada, panama, somalia, and throughout the war on terrorism. That legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire americans, young and old, for decades to come. Thank you. Good afternoon, it is my distinct honor to join Speaker Pelosi, distinguished members of congress, general mcconville, and colonel kusey today to recognize the heroic achievements of miracles marauders. Representatives at todays virtual ceremony, by proud family members and three living legends. Master Sergeant Gill highland, mr. Russell hammer, and mr. Gabe kenny. Id like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of mr. Rally nays, and former Staff Sergeant bob passed in d. C. Who served as the historians for the marauders, who both passed away this april. We are grateful to all of the heroes for documenting and sharing their account of their units triumph in the jungles of burma. We stand in awe of the legacy they live with us. The courage and grit of the 3000 men who answered president roosevelts call to join the dangerous and hazardous mission, is a testament to true service and valor. Led by Brigadier General frank miller meryl, these soldiers trained hard, traveled to a part of the world to which they had never been, all to carry out an arduous mission on behalf of flag and country in support of freedom and democracy. Its fitting that the heroism of morales marauders before ever recognized and honored by the congressional gold medal. And we are grateful to everyone who made this honor possible. To the surviving members of merrills marauders, your achievement shine brightly as an example for todays 75th Ranger Regiment and all of the soldiers of the United States army to follow. Your bravery, and Outstanding Service in the jungles of burma, speaks for itself and the ultimate sacrifice of the soldiers of the 5307 composite unit provisional will not be forgotten. Hello, im general jim mcconville, will the 40th chief of staff of the United States army. And i am truly honored and proud to recognize the legendary merrills marauders and participate in this congressional gold medal ceremony. On behalf of a great army, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to this distinguished group of heroes, along with their families and supporters that helped make a day like this happen. They represent the best of our army, and the best of our nation. They answered the call for the most dangerous missions, and they faced the most brutal conditions in the jungles of burma. They injured fierce combat, lifethreatening illnesses, extreme exhaustion, and heat. And in the toughest terrain one can face in battle. Everything they did led the foundation for the creation of our army Ranger Regiment. Our soldiers are deployed all around the world in extremely challenging situations and they stand on the shoulders of heroes like the merrills marauders. Their extraordinary stories of just a termination and heroism inspire our generations of soldiers today and will for many more generations to come. We strive every day to live up to the legacy they have left us. Thank you, so much. The wind 80 years ago, at the head of world war ii, president Franklin Roosevelt issued a call for volunteers for what he called a dangerous and hazardous mission in a faraway land. 3000 men responded. They have become known as merrills marauders. Their story is one of heroism and hardship, in the jungles of burma, they saw war at its worst. With only what they could carry on their backs or pack on mules, they mount almost 1000 miles, further than any other fighting force in world war ii. When they were not marching or fighting, five major battles, and 30 minor engagements against the japanese, in a little more than five months. They also battled hunger, disease, and exhaustion. In their mission sounds impossible to you, it was. Even army leaders did not expect them to survive. As sam wilson, who fought in burma and later helped the armys start delta force, put it, we were expendable. A plan existed on paper to get us into burma, but no plan existed to get us out. But wilson and his comrades did what american