Bill Text: NY J00626 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Walter H. Bethel posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-07 - ADOPTED [J00626 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00626-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 626

BY: Senator JORDAN

        COMMENDING  Walter H. Bethel posthumously upon the
        occasion  of  his  designation  as  recipient  of  a
        Liberty  Medal,  the  highest honor bestowed upon an
        individual by the New York State Senate

  WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of  New  York,
who  have  served  so  valiantly  and  honorably  in  wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of  peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS,  This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Walter H.
Bethel posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an  individual  by  the
New  York State Senate, to be presented at the Rensselaer County Honor a
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on Monday, April 8, 2019; and

  WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established  by
Resolution  and  is  awarded  to  individuals  who  have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf  of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

  WHEREAS,  Walter  Harry  Bethel  was  born  on November 12, 1924, in
Milford, Massachusetts, the son of Walter  Daniel  Bethel  and  Natalina
"Tillie" Donini Bethel; growing up in Cohoes and Lansingburgh, New York,
he  attended  Cohoes  High  School and worked for a short time running a
folding machine at Field and Hatch Knitting Company; and

  WHEREAS, On December 11, 1941, Walter  H.  Bethel  enlisted  in  the
United  States Navy and proudly served his country as a Seaman 2nd Class
on the USS Ingraham (DD-444); and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II,  Walter  H.
Bethel  was awarded the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle
Eastern Campaign Medal and the Purple Heart; and

  WHEREAS, On the night of August 22, 1942, the USS Ingraham  collided
with  the USS Chemung (AO-30) in heavy fog off the coast of Nova Scotia;
the USS Ingraham sank almost immediately, and depth charges on her stern
exploded; and

  WHEREAS, Walter H. Bethel was officially declared Killed  in  Action
(KIA) on August 23, 1943, at the age of 17; and

  WHEREAS, A headstone has been placed in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga
National Cemetery in memory of Walter H. Bethel; and

  WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with  which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed  to  those  who  gave  their
lives  for  their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

  WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at  home  and  abroad,
Walter  H.  Bethel  demonstrated  his  love  for  his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  Our  Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commend   Walter  H.  Bethel  posthumously  upon  the  occasion  of  his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor  bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Walter H. Bethel.