Recognizing the Contribution of the Holston Army Ammunition Plant

Floor Speech

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Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 80th anniversary of the Holston Army Ammunition Plant.

For the last eight decades, The Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP) and the great patriots of the Tri-Cities area have played a significant role in defending our homeland. The HSAAP was established in 1942 after Tennessee Eastman revolutionized the production of RDX at the Wexler Bend Pilot Plant. Due to their success, the US government would assign Holston the mammoth mission of mass producing Composition B.

As the Battle of the Atlantic was raging, The US military and its allies needed as much Composition B as they could get their hands on. This new war compound was needed due to previous munitions being too weak to penetrate U-Boat armor. No time could be wasted, as German U- boats were sinking the American merchant ships at the rate of five to six per day. Without hesitation, Holston operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet its mission. Before mid-1943, one U-boat was lost for every 100,000 tons of shipping sunk; afterward, one U-boat was lost to 10,000 tons of shipping. This massive shift could not have occurred without the large-scale use of Torpex munitions.

The HSAAP's contribution to World War II is incalculable. Holston's mass production of Composition B saved countless American lives and helped end the war much sooner.

Except for a four-year standby period immediately following V-J Day, HSAAP has been in continuous production since its initial construction in 1942 through 1944. From the Korean War to the campaign against ISIS, Holston has been relied on to supply the war effort.

Madam Speaker, The Holston Army Munitions Plant has dutifully served the American War effort. Without the blood, sweat, and tears of Holston workers, many of our battles could have ended differently.

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