Bill Text: NY J02709 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Radioman 3rd Class Frank William Degenhardt 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

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-06-24 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J02709 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02709-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2709

BY: Senator HINCHEY

        COMMENDING   Radioman   3rd  Class  Frank  William
        Degenhardt 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 esteemed Body; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Radioman
Third Class Frank William Degenhardt 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

  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,  This  honor  will be awarded to Radioman Third Class Frank
William Degenhardt by the Columbia County Honor a Veteran  Committee  at
the Columbia County Office Building in Hudson, New York, on Monday, June
10, 2024; and

  WHEREAS,  Frank  William  Degenhardt,  was  born  to  Frank and Mary
(O'Brian) Degenhardt in Mount Vernon, New York, on February 1, 1925;  he
attended  Minnie S. Graham Elementary School and A. B. Davis High School
where he graduated in 1942; and

  WHEREAS, On February 18, 1943, Frank William Degenhardt enlisted  in
the  United  States  Navy  in  New  York  City; he completed his initial
training at the  Recruit  Station  Training  Center  in  Newport,  Rhode
Island,  and  received  additional  training  in radio communications in
Boston, Massachusetts, and Norton Heights, Connecticut; and

  WHEREAS, Radioman Third Class (RM3) Frank W. Degenhardt, a member of
Unit 470 of the 7th Fleet, was commissioned to  combat  in  the  Pacific
Theater  of  Operations  during  World  War  II;  he  saw  action in the
Admiralty Islands Campaign and the liberation of the Philippines; and

  WHEREAS, For his service to this Nation,  RM3  Frank  W.  Degenhardt
earned  several  awards,  including  the American Theatre Medal, Asiatic
Pacific Campaign Medal with  one  star,  European  Theatre  Medal,  Good
Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal
with  Asia  clasp, Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars, Honorable
Discharge Pin, and Honorable Service Lapel Pin; and

  WHEREAS, On August 8, 1953, RM3 Frank W. Degenhardt  married  Jessie
Shute  in  Pelham,  New  York,  and  the  couple raised four children in
Larchmont; and

  WHEREAS, Frank William Degenhardt worked  as  Radio  Technician  and
Technical  Director for ABC Television in New York City; his outstanding
work earned him recognition as an Emmy-winning Technical Director; and

  WHEREAS,  Although a resident of Larchmont, Frank William Degenhardt
remained active with the Mount Vernon Fire Company  in  the  neighboring
City of Mount Vernon where he spent his childhood; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  his retirement in 1989, Frank William Degenhardt and
his wife, Jessie, moved to the family homestead in Gallatin,  New  York;
for four years, he served as Gallatin Town Judge; additionally, he was a
Member and Chaplain of the Red Hook-Rhinebeck Elks Lodge; and

  WHEREAS,  At  his home in Gallatin, Frank William Degenhardt died on
November 1, 2019, at the age of 94; and

  WHEREAS, Frank William Degenhardt is survived by  his  lovely  wife,
Jessie;  sons,  William,  George,  and  Dwight; daughter, Roberta; three
grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; 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 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,
Frank  William  Degenhardt  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  Radioman Third Class Frank William Degenhardt 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  Radioman  Third  Class  Frank  William
Degenhardt.