Whereas the first United States torpedo boat destroyer was the USS Bainbridge (DD–1), placed in full commission on December 23, 1903; Whereas the United States Navy was the first service to respond in World War I after the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, when six destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 8, commanded by J.K. Taussig, arrived in Queenstown, Ireland, in May of that year; Whereas during World War I, American destroyers prevented the loss of life or ship of 2 million men making the trans-Atlantic journey; Whereas in their 250 battles with German U-boats during World War I, American destroyers sunk 1 submarine, the U–58, and laid the groundwork for modern antisubmarine warfare; Whereas between June 1942 and February 1945, 175 Fletcher class destroyers were built, and this class of ships is widely recognized as integral to the naval war effort in World War II; Whereas, during World War II, 19 Fletcher class destroyers were lost and 6 were damaged beyond repair; Whereas, during World War II, 44 Fletcher class destroyers earned 10 or more battle stars, 19 were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, and 16 received the Presidential Unit Citation; Whereas following their service during World War II, 32 Fletcher class destroyers were transferred to the navies of America’s allies, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey; Whereas the largest Atlantic operation destroyers participated in during World War II was Operation Neptune, the naval component of Operation Overlord, the invasion of Europe, on June 6, 1944; Whereas, at Utah Beach, destroyers USS Fitch (DD–462), USS Corry (DD–463), and USS Hobson (DD–464) were the first ships of the invasion force to shell the shore; Whereas, at Omaha Beach, destroyers USS Baldwin (DD–624), USS Carmick (DD–493), USS Doyle (DD–494), USS Emmons (DD–457), USS Frankford (DD–497), USS McCook (DD–496), and USS Thompson (DD–627) shelled the enemy fortifications