Bill Text: NY J01427 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 1427

Introduced

Bill Title: Commending John W. and Joseph E. Kehoe posthumously upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-09 - ADOPTED [J01427 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01427-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 1427

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING   John   W.   and   Joseph   E.   Kehoe
        posthumously upon the occasion of their  designation
        as  recipients 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 esteemed Body; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to  commend  John  W.
and  Joseph E. Kehoe posthumously upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest  honor  bestowed  upon  an
individual by the New York State Senate, to be celebrated at Schenectady
County's  Honor-A-Veteran  ceremony  on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at
St.  Luke's Church in Schenectady, New York; 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,  Brothers  John and Joseph Kehoe were born to Anna and Hugh
Kehoe; John Kehoe was born on April 29, 1920 and Joseph Kehoe  was  born
on November 21, 1912; and

  WHEREAS,  Growing  up in the Schenectady area, John and Joseph Kehoe
attended Draper High School; before enlisting, John Kehoe  was  employed
by  General Electric Co. and Joseph Kehoe worked for American Locomotive
Co.; and

  WHEREAS, One month after the bombing of  Pearl  Harbor,  John  Kehoe
answered  the  call to defend the Nation and entered the Army on January
9, 1942; he enrolled in the Aviation pre-flight  school  at  Santa  Ana,
California; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  graduating  from primary training at King City, John
Kehoe  was  transferred  to  Lamoore  Army  flying  school  at  Lamoore,
California;  he received his wings and Commission as a Second Lieutenant
in the Army Air Corps at Williams Field in Chandler, Arizona; and

  WHEREAS, Earning the prestigious title  of  First  Lieutenant,  John
Kehoe  was  assigned  overseas to the 669th Squadron of the 416th Bomber
Group as a pilot of a B26 Tactical Bomber which interdicted tanks,  rail
marshaling yards, ammunition depots, and infantry positions; and

  WHEREAS,  Giving  the ultimate sacrifice to protect our great Nation
and vulnerable people around the world, John Kehoe was killed in  action
Christmas morning in 1944; and

  WHEREAS,  On  that  date,  he showed extraordinary heroism in action
when he encountered an intense flak on the bombing line to the target in

his aircraft; despite great damage to  his  aircraft,  Lieutenant  Kehoe
maintained his position in the formation and his right engine burst into
flames,  spreading  along  the  fuselage;  sacrificing his own life, the
target  was  hit  with  amazing accuracy and shortly after, the aircraft
exploded in midair; and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, John  Kehoe
was  awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Medal with two Oak
Clusters, and the Purple Heart Medal; and

  WHEREAS, Entering as a Private into the  Army  on  April  16,  1942,
Joseph  Kehoe  began  his  service  at the Army Armored Regiment at Camp
Cooke, California; he went on to receive Basic Training  at  Fort  Knox,
Kentucky and then attended Desert Training in California; and

  WHEREAS, Showing exemplary skill, Joseph Kehoe was an honor graduate
of  the Engineering School at Atlanta, Georgia; he also received a medal
for Marksmanship; and

  WHEREAS, Upon transfer to the  Pittsburgh,  California,  Replacement
Deport,  Joseph  Kehoe  was assigned to the 44th Infantry Battalion, 6th
Armored Division; and

  WHEREAS, 46 days after his  brother,  Joseph  Kehoe  was  killed  in
action on February 9, 1945; and

  WHEREAS,  Showing  unfathomable  selflessness,  Joseph Kehoe started
crawling to the aid of a wounded comrade in a direct line of fire from a
nearby enemy machine gun; with  utter  disregard  for  his  own  safety,
Private  First  Class Kehoe was instantly killed in his efforts, but his
heroic action reflects the highest credit upon himself  and  the  United
States Army; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  courageous  service  during World War II, Joseph
Kehoe was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal; and

  WHEREAS, Buried next  to  each  other  in  the  Luxembourg  American
Cemetery,  John  W.  and  Joseph  E.  Kehoe will forever be preserved in
history as heroes; 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,  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  John  W.  and Joseph E. Kehoe posthumously upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal,  the  highest  honor
bestowed  upon  an  individual  by  the New York State Senate; and be it
further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the families of John W. and Joseph E. Kehoe.