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TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 28 IN ABBEVILLE COUNTY FROM THE MCCORMICK COUNTY LINE TO THE ANDERSON COUNTY LINE THE "173D AIRBORNE BRIGADE (SEP) SKY SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY VIETNAM 1965-1971" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "173D AIRBORNE BRIGADE (SEP) SKY SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY VIETNAM 1965-1971".
Whereas, the 173D Airborne Brigade (Separate) was activated on the island of Okinawa, Japan on March 26, 1963; and
Whereas, the "Sky Soldier" as the Nationalist Chinese paratroopers called the 173D, made thousands of parachute jumps in a dozen countries. The brigade was the first United States Army ground combat unit sent to the Republic of South Vietnam in May 1965; and
Whereas, in combat operations in Vietnam, this group of brave soldiers was the first brigade to travel into "War Zone D" to destroy enemy base camps. The unit also fought battles in the iron triangle, conducted the only major combat parachute jump in the Tay Ninh area, and blocked North Vietnamese Army incursions during the bloodiest fighting of the war at "Dak To" during the summer and fall of 1967. In addition, elements of the brigade conducted an amphibious assault against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces as part of an operation to clear the rice growing lowlands along the "Bong Song" Littoral; and
Whereas, the troopers of the 173D Airborne Brigade (SEP) wear their combat badges and decorations with pride. During more than six years of nearly continuous combat in Vietnam, the brigade earned fourteen campaign streamers and four unit citations; and
Whereas, the brigade had thirteen Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, over one hundred thirty Distinguished Service Cross recipients, and over six thousand Purple Heart recipients. Before the brigade was deactivated on January 14, 1972 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, sadly, it had lost over one thousand seven hundred brave individuals during combat operations in Vietnam; and
Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the General Assembly to permanently recognize the heroism and sacrifices in defense of our freedom during the Vietnam War displayed by the individuals of the 173D by naming a portion of South Carolina Highway 28 in Abbeville County in their honor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of South Carolina Highway 28 in Abbeville County from the McCormick County line to the Anderson County line the "173D Airborne Brigade (SEP) Sky Soldiers Memorial Highway Vietnam 1965-1971" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this highway that contain the words:
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
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