78R10368 MMS-D

By:  Keel                                                         H.R. No. 731



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Citizens of the United States are profoundly 
indebted to the members of the U.S. Navy Armed Guard (NAG), whose 
valiant efforts and self-sacrifice played a crucial role in the 
Allied victory during World War II; and
	WHEREAS, Established during World War I and deactivated at 
the end of that conflict, the NAG was reactivated by the U.S. 
Congress in November 1941; over the next four years, guardsmen were 
assigned primarily to merchant cargo ships and troop transports, to 
protect them in theaters of war throughout the world; and
	WHEREAS, The duty assumed by the armed guard was a highly 
perilous one; ships leaving U.S. ports became vulnerable to attack 
as soon as they cleared the torpedo nets, and many were sunk in 
sight of the U.S. coastline; during their voyages, convoys were 
endangered by U-boat wolf packs, enemy aircraft, surface warships, 
and mines; and
	WHEREAS, The Murmansk run was among the most challenging and 
most vital assignments undertaken by the NAG; the only effective 
way the Allies could get critical supplies to the Russian Army was 
through the ports of Archangel and Murmansk, and the journey 
through the Arctic Ocean often meant facing ferocious storms as 
well as German planes, ships, and submarines; nearly half of the 
more than 800 ships making the Murmansk run flew the American flag, 
and the material they delivered was instrumental in helping the 
Soviets turn back the German Army; and
	WHEREAS, Before the NAG was deactivated again at the end of 
the war, approximately 144,000 personnel had served in its ranks; 
they sailed on an estimated 6,230 merchant ships, 710 of which were 
sunk by enemy action; in addition to numerous citations accorded 
guardsmen for heroism, five U.S. destroyer escorts bear the names 
of guardsmen who gave their lives in battle; and
	WHEREAS, Through their courageous efforts to safeguard the 
transport of troops and essential supplies during the Second World 
War, members of the NAG demonstrated unfaltering devotion to duty, 
honor, and the cause of liberty, and their actions are deserving of 
their fellow citizens' deepest pride and gratitude; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor all who served during World War II in the 
U.S. Navy Armed Guard, for their unflinching valor in that terrible 
struggle helped to secure freedom at home and over much of the 
world.