Bill 1403

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       1403
Type of Legislation:               Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                  Senate
Introduced Date:                   19960430
Primary Sponsor:                   Drummond 
All Sponsors:                      Drummond 
Drafted Document Number:           bbm\10827jm.96
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:      19960501
Subject:                           USS Santee

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

Senate  19960501  Received from House
House   19960430  Introduced, adopted, returned
                  with concurrence
Senate  19960430  Introduced, adopted, sent to House

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WELCOMING THE MEMBERS OF THE USS SANTEE TO SOUTH CAROLINA AS THEY CELEBRATE TRIUMPHANT MEMORIES OF WORLD WAR II.

Whereas, the members of the USS Santee will convene at the Northwoods Atrium Hotel in Charleston County during the week of May 5, 1996 to celebrate triumphant memories of World War II; and

Whereas, hit by the first kamikaze, the USS Santee endured tremendous odds and displayed acts of heroism; and

Whereas, originally constructed as a fast oil tanker in 1939, the Santee soon became absorbed in the United States Navy to help with the efforts of World War II; on October 12, 1942, under the command of Captain W. D. Sample, the Santee steamed out to sea; and

Whereas, in Africa the Santee became the first CVE to support troop landings and on March 10, 1943, she was the first to participate in the sinking of the German raider, "Kota Nopan", off the coast of South America; and

Whereas, the Santee served in both the Atlantic and the Pacific; she spent tremendous time and effort supporting the landings at Aitape-Hollandia and later, the invasion landings of Morotai; and

Whereas, the Santee came under attack on October 20, 1944 by three Japanese Zeros; they dropped four bombs on both the port and starboard side of the vessel but were shot down by the ship's guns and air patrol protection; and

Whereas, in March, 1945, the Santee supported the landings at Okinawa; here, the ship and its crew surged through eighty-two days of constant battle and flight operations, 3,073 missions, 9,535 combat hours, and 906 tons of bombs that were dropped; and

Whereas, on the way to cover troops in Korea, the Santee had her course changed by a typhoon which took the ship to Formosa; and it was here that the Santee brought aboard 477 prisoners-of-war from a camp on the island; and

Whereas, when the end of the war came in September, 1945, the Santee's efforts were curtailed; however, she had contributed outstanding efforts to the war (only some of which are related here) and had undergone and endured tremendous hardships and dangers (again, only some of which are mentioned here), and it is truly fitting and proper that the Santee's valiant actions be recalled with fanfare and celebration; and

Whereas, the President of the United States has presented the "Presidential Unit Citation" to the Santee and her attached Air Groups, a very high and well-deserved honor; and

Whereas, we are delighted to have the personnel of the Santee present in South Carolina for this superb and joyous celebration. Now, therefore,

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

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, officially welcomes the members of the USS Santee to South Carolina as they celebrate triumphant memories of World War II.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the officers, crew, and staff of the USS Santee.