MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Seymour, Blount, England, Jackson (11th), Jordan, Michel, Moran, Sparks
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEACTIVATION OF GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD ARMY, 65TH INFANTRY DIVISION, AND HONORING THEIR SERVICE TO OUR NATION.
WHEREAS, on October 22-25, 2020, the 65th Infantry Division Association will be celebrating the veterans' service and reenacting the division's deactivation during its annual reunion taking place at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the 65th Infantry Division was activated on August 16, 1943, at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, under the command of Major General Stanley E. Reinhart. After their training, they were transported by train to Camp Shanks, New York, and departed via troop ships on January 10, 1945, for combat in Europe; and
WHEREAS, due to German aggression in the Atlantic Ocean, the transport ships were diverted from England to a barely functional port in Le Havre, France, arriving on January 21, 1945. The Army engineers tasked with the responsibility of setting up Camp Lucky Strike had been called to the front leaving nothing readied for the 65th. The 65th Division set up Camp Lucky Strike despite extremely low rations, little warmth, and several feet of snow. The Division moved from the Le Havre, France, area to Oberesch, Germany, where they entered combat on March 2, 1945. The 65th Division captured Saarlautern, breached the Siegfried Line pushing the Germans back. Crossing the Rhine River, they moved to the front of the 3rd Army and were nicknamed "Patton's Spearhead Division." They went on to assault Langensalza, fought the battles of Struth and Neumarkt, crossed the Danube River to take Regensburg, crossed the Isar and Inn Rivers taking Neuhaus and Passau, then continued pushing on to Enns, Austria; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, the Division fulfilled its motto of "Right to Be Proud" as they fought their way to victory. The soldiers traveled a total of 850 miles from Le Havre, France, to Enns, Austria. During the Division's 55 days of actual combat they traveled 583 miles, liberating or providing humanitarian services to Hersbruck (a subcamp of Flossenbürg), Kirchham, Haid, and Mauthausen concentration camps; and
WHEREAS, the men of the 65th Infantry Division were awarded numerous honors for their heroism and valor in battle. Private First Class Frederick C. Murphy, a 65th medic, received the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously. Other distinctions the 65th Division soldiers were awarded include: 7 Distinguished Service Crosses, 11 Legion of Merits, 67 Silver Stars, 4 Soldier Medals, 690 Bronze Stars, and 19 Air Medals; and
WHEREAS, the 65th Infantry Division was deactivated on August 31, 1945. In 1951, the men of the 65th Infantry Division began to have yearly reunions to provide support and encouragement to their comrades in arms and to remember those who did not come home. Today, the 65th Infantry Division Association continues to preserve and maintain the history, stories and memorabilia of the 65th Infantry Division. Membership presently includes remaining veterans and their family members; and
WHEREAS, the men of the 65th Infantry Division were just young men when they put aside their hopes and dreams to answer the call of their country; and
WHEREAS, the legacy of this Division is a strong and free America, and for this the State of Mississippi joins a grateful nation in thanking them for their service:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the deactivation of General Patton's 3rd Army, 65th Infantry Division, and honor and thank them for their service to our nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to representatives of the 65th Infantry Division Association at their reunion at Camp Shelby on October 22-25, 2020, forwarded to the Mississippi Department of Veterans Affairs and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.