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Welcoming the esteemed LRRP/Rangers of I Company 75th Rangers to Philadelphia on the occasion of their national convention and thanking them for their distinguished service.
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WHEREAS, The US Army Rangers’ history predates the Revolutionary War. In the mid-1700s Major Robert Rogers helped in forming Ranger units to fight the French and Indian Wars, and he wrote the 19 standing Ranger Orders that are still in use today; and
WHEREAS, Ranger Military Units have operated in service to Country harassing, interdicting, suppressing and neutralizing the enemies of the United States since the American Revolution; and
WHEREAS, Many famous men belonged to Ranger units during the 18th and 19th Centuries, including the “Swamp Fox” Francis Marion, Daniel Boone, and Abraham Lincoln; and
WHEREAS, Roberts Rules and the Ranger Creed applied through the centuries as wars often called for the skills of the American Ranger, but after the wars the Ranger units were often disbanded. After the Civil War, more than half a century passed without Ranger units; and
WHEREAS, In 1941, the United States activated six Ranger units under the leadership of William O. Darby. They fought throughout the European and Pacific theaters of war, doing what seemed to be the “Impossible Missions” of island hopping and rescuing prisoners of war in the South Pacific, fighting in North Africa, scaling the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc in Normandy, and destroying enemy guns on “D Day.” It was during this time that the Rangers gained their motto: “Rangers Lead the Way.” The Rangers were once again disbanded after World War II; and
WHEREAS, The Korean War reestablished a need for specially-trained small Ranger units. However, after the Korean War these units were disbanded and dissolved; and
WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War, generals felt a strong need to reestablish a Ranger unit trained in the art of guerilla warfare with an understanding of insurgency and counter-insurgency. After strong arguments before the Department of Defense and the President of the United States, it was agreed that a Ranger unit would be formed, continuing the legendary legacy of Ranger warfare; and
WHEREAS, General William Westmoreland returned from Washington to the Vietnam War Zone and established that the Long Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) companies of every combat division would have the honor of re-establishing the Ranger lineage in battle for the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, The LRRP/Rangers distinguished themselves, having received every military decoration from the Medal of Honor to the Army Commendation Medal with Valor; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Army Chief of Staff Creighton Adams issued a directive to establish a permanent Ranger Battalion, establishing that the Ranger tactics used by General George Washington would continue in the present day; and
WHEREAS, In June 2019 the LRRP/Rangers of I Company 75th Rangers will enjoy Pennsylvania’s hospitality, people, cities, towns, and villages by holding its national convention in Philadelphia and Bensalem; and
WHEREAS, David Christian is presently the Unit Director for The 75th Rangers and is a native son to this region. He is considered to be the youngest, most decorated military officer since the Civil War, having been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star, and seven Purple Hearts after retiring from Army service in 1970 at age 21; and
WHEREAS, The LRRP/Rangers of I Company 75th Rangers is considered one of the most decorated and respected Ranger units of the Vietnam War, with one of its brothers having been awarded the Medal of Honor. Company I LRRP/Rangers also has two members in the Ranger Hall of Fame in Fort Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, The LRRP/Rangers of I Company 75th Rangers represent an elite lineage of service extending back to the birth of this nation. Their service is to be appreciated and revered, and the City is honored to welcome these heroes and the history and values they represent; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby welcomes the esteemed LRRP/Rangers of I Company 75th Rangers to Philadelphia on the occasion of their national convention and thanks them for their distinguished service.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the LRRP/Rangers of I Company 75th Rangers as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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