Honoring the members of the Army Motor Transport Brigade who during World War II served in the trucking operation known as the Red Ball Express for their service and contribution to the Allied advance following the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France.

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 439 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

H.Con.Res.439
Agreed to July 22, 2004.

One Hundred Eighth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the twentieth day of January, two thousand and four

Concurrent Resolution

Whereas June 6, 2004, the 60th anniversary of the World War II D-Day
invasion of Normandy, France, was observed by Americans with numerous
commemorations of the sacrifices of those who fought to preserve the
liberty and freedom of the people of the United States;

Whereas commemoration of those sacrifices and the recollection of those
who served should include all who served, including those who
performed critical logistics functions;

Whereas after the breakout from the beachheads at Normandy following
the D-Day landings, Allied forces began a rapid advance across
France, with the result that advancing units in many cases began to
outrun their supplies of fuel, food, and ammunition;

Whereas on August 21, 1944, in response to the need for resupply of
rapidly advancing forces, the Army Motor Transportation Service
created a trucking operation called the Red Ball Express which began
operations on August 25, 1944;

Whereas the Red Ball Express was a massive convoy effort to speed
supplies to the Allied armies advancing across France;

Whereas the convoy system stretched from Normandy to Paris and
eventually to the front in the northeastern borderland of France;

Whereas by ensuring that United States and other Allied soldiers were
properly resupplied, the Red Ball Express played a major role in the
defeat of Nazi Germany;

Whereas members of the Red Ball Express persevered through arduous
driving conditions and constant threats of ground and aerial ambushes
and performed their duties with precision and efficiency;

Whereas the Red Ball Express was in operation for 82 days and, by the
time Red Ball Express operations were concluded in November 1944, Red
Ball Express truckers had delivered over 410,000 tons of fuel,
ammunition, food, and other essential supplies for the Allied forces
to succeed in Europe;

Whereas, during World War II, many commanders believed that African-
Americans were not suitable for combat duties and relegated them to
service, support, and supply missions;

Whereas the majority of Red Ball Express drivers were African-
Americans;

Whereas the success of the Allied advance through France was made
possible by the soldiers who drove the supply trucks; and

Whereas the members of the Army Motor Transport Brigade who
participated in the Red Ball Express contributed unselfishly to the
war effort despite the indignities and double standards that they
endured: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress honors the members of the Army Motor Transport Brigade
who during World War II served in the trucking operation known as the
Red Ball Express for their service and contribution to the Allied
advance following the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France.
Attest:

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate.