1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the 99th Infantry Battalion.
1.3WHEREAS, the 99th Infantry Battalion was formed during World War II as part of the
1.4United State's War Department's "Foreign Legions" initiative to establish special units of United
1.5States citizens from certain ethnic groups for operations in countries occupied by the Axis powers;
1.6and
1.7WHEREAS, the 99th Infantry Battalion was created in 1942 with the intent of carrying out
1.8a special unconventional warfare operation to disrupt German activities in Norway; and
1.9WHEREAS, recruits for the unique unit were Norwegians and Norwegian-Americans from
1.10Minnesota and the Dakotas and were selected for their ability to speak Norwegian; and
1.11WHEREAS, the 99th Infantry Battalion trained at Camp Ripley and Fort Snelling in
1.12Minnesota and Camp Hale in Colorado; and
1.13WHEREAS, the 99th Infantry Battalion saw extensive combat service in several critical
1.14European missions during World War II, including battles in Normandy, northern France, Germany,
1.15and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, Hitler's last major offensive against the Western Front; and
1.16WHEREAS, the battalion spent 101 days in combat and fifty-two members were killed in
1.17combat, 207 were wounded, and six were missing in action. In total, the battalion received 305
1.18Purple Hearts, 15 Silver Stars, and 20 Bronze Stars; and
1.19WHEREAS, at the end of World War II, the 99th Infantry Battalion served as the Honor
1.20Guard to Norway's King Haakon VII upon his return from exile; and
1.21WHEREAS, veterans of the 99th Infantry Battalion and their families will be honored at
1.22Nordic Fest in Thief River Falls from May 26 to May 28; and
2.1WHEREAS, Nordic Fest is sponsored by the Sons of Norway Snorre Lodge and is a
2.2celebration of all things Scandinavian. This year the festival will honor veterans of the 99th Infantry
2.3Battalion in the Hall of Honor where pictures and other memorabilia of the battalion's wartime
2.4experiences contributed by the veteran's families will be on display; and
2.5WHEREAS, dignitaries from the office of the Norwegian ambassador to the United States
2.6in Washington, D.C., and the International Sons of Norway Foundation and Norway House, both
2.7based in Minneapolis, are expected to participate in Nordic Fest; and
2.8NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.9honors the members of the 99th Infantry Battalion and their families and thanks them for their brave
2.10service to their country.
2.11BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.12enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.13Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Sons of Norway.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Jeremy R. MillerChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Mark JohnsonState Senator, District 1