79R11903 SKA-F By: Truitt H.C.R. No. 6CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, The 60th anniversary of the deactivation of the 112th Cavalry, Texas National Guard, on January 17, 2006, affords a fitting opportunity to recognize the important role of that regiment in our nation's history; and WHEREAS, The 112th Cavalry served gallantly through 434 days of combat in the Southwest Pacific theater during World War II, an essential theater of U.S. operations throughout World War II; brought into federal service on November 18, 1940, the regiment helped secure the southern border of the United States as mounted cavalry, was sent to the South Pacific theater of operations and served as a mounted security force on the French possession of New Caledonia, seized Woodlark Island in the Southwest Pacific, assaulted the Cape Merkus Peninsula at Arawe, defended the Driniumor River in New Guinea, and participated in the campaigns at Leyte and Luzon, before entering Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, and becoming an occupying force in Japan at the end of World War II; and WHEREAS, A regiment of many "firsts," the 112th Cavalry was the first unit in the Southwest Pacific to use bazookas and flamethrowers in the destruction of enemy defenses, the first to use rocket-carrying amphibious assault vehicles (DUKWS) in an amphibious attack, the first to use the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) in an attack (USS Carter Hall), and the first to use helicopters as a standard method for medical evacuation; furthermore, the regiment was nicknamed "The Little Giant of the Pacific" for its proven combat performance in relationship to its relative size; and WHEREAS, On July 2, 1946, the 112th was reactivated as a unit in the Texas National Guard, it was reclassified as the 112th Armored Cavalry Regiment and later reclassified as separate battalions of the 112th Armor, Texas National Guard, and today combat elements in direct lineage from the 112th Cavalry proudly serve their nation in Iraq; and WHEREAS, The Texas Military Forces Museum and the 112th Cavalry Veterans Association now serve to commemorate the 112th Cavalry as a symbol of our commitment to freedom and a source of great pride for all Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate January 17, 2006, as 112th Cavalry Day and extend to all those associated with the 112th Cavalry sincere thanks for a job well done; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the 112th Cavalry Veterans Association, the active battalions of the 112th Armor, and the Texas Military Forces Museum as an expression of esteem by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.