Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day

Proclamation 7448 of June 7, 2001

Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

All of America's service personnel and veterans deserve
our gratitude, and it is fitting to pay tribute to the
United States Asiatic Fleet.

The United States Navy's presence in the Far East dates
to 1822. The Asiatic Fleet was formed in 1902,
reestablished in 1910, and continued to serve into
1942. Through years of unrest and disturbance, the
Fleet protected American lives and interests along the
China coast and the Yangtze River, bearing
responsibilities that were as much diplomatic as Naval.
The Fleet also assisted civilian areas devastated by
the forces of nature and by internal warfare.

When the attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the United
States into World War II, the Asiatic Fleet played a
key role in the defense of the Philippines. Outnumbered
and outgunned at sea and in the air, the Fleet was
joined by ships of the British, Dutch, and Australian
navies to oppose the Japanese advance through what is
now Indonesia. The Fleet's destroyers hit the Japanese
at Balikpapan and Badung Strait, and the cruiser
Marblehead fought her way through massive air attacks
off Bali while submarines, short of fuel and torpedoes,
struck Japanese supply lines.

The battle for the ``Malay Barrier'' reached its climax
in the Java Sea. In the opening hours of March 1, 1942,
the American cruiser Houston and the Australian cruiser
Perth, outnumbered and outgunned by the Japanese,
fought to the last in the Sunda Strait. They went down
with their guns still firing and were followed hours
later by the British cruiser Exeter. The remaining
Allied ships were then ordered to make their way to
Australia.

The Asiatic Fleet was no more, but its heritage of
courage and selfless dedication helped spur our Navy to
victory in World War II. Since then, the Seventh Fleet
has carried on the Asiatic Fleet's duties, earning
honor in Korea and Vietnam and helping to preserve
peace and stability in East Asia. The men and women of
our Naval services who saw the Cold War to a peaceful
conclusion and won victory in Operation Desert Storm
are worthy descendants of the sailors and Marines who
earned glory in the Java Sea. As we pay tribute to the
memory of the Asiatic Fleet, I call on all Americans to
join me in saluting its proud heritage of bravery and
honor.

The Congress, by Public Law 105-261, on October 17,
1998, has authorized and requested the President to
issue a proclamation in commemoration of the United
States Navy Asiatic Fleet.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
Untied States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 1, 2002, as
U.S. Navy Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day. I call upon all
Americans to observe this day with appropriate
ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord two
thousand one, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

(Presidential Sig.)B