S*1391 Concurrent Resolution, By Wilson, Ravenel, Grooms, Mescher, Passailaigue, 
Ford and McConnell
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE
 UNITED STATES NAVAL ARMED GUARD WHO SERVED VALIANTLY WITH THE MERCHANT MARINE
 DURING WORLD WAR II, ESPECIALLY REMEMBERING AND HONORING THOSE BRAVE SAILORS
 WHOSE SHIPS WERE SUNK AS THE RESULT OF ENEMY ACTION AND THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR
 LIVES PROTECTING THE MERCHANT MARINE, AND DEFENDING ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND
 SUPPLY LINES ALL OVER THE WORLD DURING THE CRITICAL DAYS OF WORLD WAR II, AND
 TO EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE OF ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS FOR THE SACRIFICE AND
 SERVICE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NAVAL ARMED GUARD ON THE OCCASION OF THE
 RECOGNITION CEREMONY FOR THE NAVAL ARMED GUARD TO BE HELD ON JUNE 7, 2000,
 WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED "NAVAL ARMED GUARDS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

   05/16/00  Senate Introduced SJ-8
   05/17/00  Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-97
   05/17/00  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-126

May 16, 2000

S. 1391

Introduced by Senators Wilson, Ravenel, Grooms, Mescher, Passailaigue, Ford and McConnell

S. Printed 5/16/00--S. [SEC 5/17/00 1:01 PM]

Read the first time May 16, 2000.

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ARMED GUARD WHO SERVED VALIANTLY WITH THE MERCHANT MARINE DURING WORLD WAR II, ESPECIALLY REMEMBERING AND HONORING THOSE BRAVE SAILORS WHOSE SHIPS WERE SUNK AS THE RESULT OF ENEMY ACTION AND THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES PROTECTING THE MERCHANT MARINE, AND DEFENDING ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND SUPPLY LINES ALL OVER THE WORLD DURING THE CRITICAL DAYS OF WORLD WAR II, AND TO EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE OF ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS FOR THE SACRIFICE AND SERVICE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NAVAL ARMED GUARD ON THE OCCASION OF THE RECOGNITION CEREMONY FOR THE NAVAL ARMED GUARD TO BE HELD ON JUNE 7, 2000, WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED "NAVAL ARMED GUARDS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the United States Navy established the Naval Armed Guard Service during World War I and World War II to protect merchant ships from enemy submarines, ships, and aircraft; and

Whereas, one hundred forty-four thousand nine hundred seventy sailors volunteered for this dangerous duty and rendered invaluable service in the United States Navy Armed Guard during World War II as officers, gun crewmen, signalmen, radiomen, and in other rates when the threat from enemy submarines off the eastern seaboard and even the coast of South Carolina endangered the maritime shipping so vital to the allied war effort; and

Whereas, members of the Naval Armed Guard Service served on six thousand two hundred thirty-six ships during World War II, of which seven hundred ten were sunk as the result of enemy action; and

Whereas, of the more than one hundred forty-four thousand nine hundred officers and men who served in the Naval Armed Guard during World War II as officers, gun crewmen, signalmen, radiomen, and other rates, one thousand eight hundred ten were killed in action or lost at sea; and

Whereas, the value and importance of the service rendered by the United States Naval Armed Guard in preserving our freedom cannot be overestimated inasmuch as it is the considered opinion of naval and military historians that, but for the continuous flow of essential supplies needed by the allied forces and keeping the vital shipping and supply lines open during the critical phases of World War II, the war could have been lost; and

Whereas, through their courage and commitment to duty and heroism, the members of the Naval Armed Guard upheld the highest traditions of the American naval service with honor and dignity by ensuring the safe delivery of essential cargo and supplies during critical periods of World War II; and

Whereas, it is the desire of the members of the South Carolina Senate to express the gratitude of South Carolina to the Naval Armed Guard for their sacrifice and service, and to join with others in recognizing their distinguished service on the occasion of the ceremony honoring the Naval Armed Guard to be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at 11:00 A.M. on the north steps of the State House. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend the officers and men of the United States Naval Armed Guard who served valiantly with the Merchant Marine during World War II, especially remembering and honoring those brave sailors whose ships were sunk as the result of enemy action and those who gave their lives protecting the merchant marine and defending essential supplies and vital supply lines all over the world during the critical days of World War II, and express the gratitude of all South Carolinians for the sacrifice and service of the members of the Naval Armed Guard on the occasion of the recognition ceremony for the Naval Armed Guard to be held on June 7, 2000, which has been declared "Naval Armed Guards Day" in South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Naval Armed Guard Association.