WASHINGTON, DC—In honor of the 20th anniversary of the end of the Gulf War, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) applaud the passage of a resolution they introduced to honor fallen members of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Thirteen soldiers from the 14th Quartermaster Detachment were killed and 43 were wounded during a SCUD missile attack. This tragedy marked the highest number of casualties from any single American or allied unit during the Gulf War.
"These brave men and women gave what Abraham Lincoln would describe as the ‘last full measure of devotion’ to their country,” said Senator Casey. “We introduced this resolution to remember the sacrifice of those we lost, honor their valor and most importantly, to testify to the fact that they will never be forgotten.”
“The members of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment personify the greatest form of courage and dedication to one’s country,” Senator Toomey said. “I am proud to join with my colleague in sponsoring this resolution to honor and commemorate their sacrifice and selflessness and to ensure that their memory will always be with us.”
The 14th Quartermaster Detachment, a United States Army Reserve water purification unit stationed in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, was mobilized for service in Southwest Asia on January 15, 1991. On February 25, 1991, parts of an Iraqi SCUD missile destroyed the barracks housing members of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment. It was the single, most devastating attack on U.S. forces during the Gulf War. In total, 29 soldiers died and 99 were wounded. The 14th Quartermaster Detachment lost 13 soldiers and suffered 43 wounded.
Full text of the resolution is below.
S. Res. 76
Recognizing the Soldiers of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment who were killed or wounded during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Whereas 13 Soldiers of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment of the United States Army Reserve, stationed in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, were killed, and 43 wounded in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia while supporting operations to liberate the people of Kuwait and defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
Whereas Specialist Steven E. Atherton, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Nurmine, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Specialist John A. Boliver, Jr., 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Monongahela, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Sergeant Joseph P. Bongiorni III, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Hickory, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Sergeant John T. Boxler, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Specialist Beverly S. Clark, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Armagh, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving her country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Sergeant Allen B. Craver, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Specialist Frank S. Keough, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of North Huntington, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Specialist Anthony E. Madison, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Monessen, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Specialist Christine L. Mayes, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Rochester Mills, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving her country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Specialist Steven J. Siko, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Specialist Thomas G. Stone, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Falconer, New York, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Sergeant Frank J. Walls, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Hawthorne, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas Specialist Richard V. Wolverton, 14th Quartermaster Detachment, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991 while loyally serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the meritorious service of these Pennsylvanians, and others in Pennsylvania-based units, which contributed to the liberation of the people of Kuwait and defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) recognizes the service and sacrifice of Pennsylvanians during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm;
(2) honors the 13 Soldiers of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment of the United States Army Reserve who were killed in action on February 25, 1991, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia;
(3) pledges its gratitude and support to the families of these soldiers; and
(4) encourages the people of the United States to commemorate and honor the role and contribution of Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania-based units of the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserves, Naval Reserves, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve who supported Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
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