Bill Text: NY J03287 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Commending Ambrose Cowboy Anderson upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-12-28 - ADOPTED [J03287 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J03287-Introduced.html

Senate Resolution No. 3287

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING    Ambrose  "Cowboy"  Anderson 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 Ambrose
"Cowboy" Anderson 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, Cowboy Anderson of Gloversville, became one  of  the  first
African  American  members  of  the  United States Marine Corps where he
served with honor and valor during World War II and was discharged as  a
corporal; and

  WHEREAS,  Corporal  Anderson,  who  was  a  star  football player at
Gloversville High School, will be 95 years-old in August of  this  year;
he  served in the 8th Ammunition Company and saw combat in the Battle of
Iwo Jima in 1945; and

  WHEREAS, He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1943,  and  was
assigned  to  the  segregated Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North
Carolina, where approximately 20,000  African  American  Marines  served
from 1942 to 1949, enduring incredible prejudice and racism; and

  WHEREAS,   While  on  a  battleship  sailing  to  Iwo  Jima,  Cowboy
Anderson's ship was attacked by Japanese  kamikaze  pilots;  he  crawled
into  a  hole  and  started feeding a gunner machine gun ammunition; the
next day, he looked out and saw bodies of Marines floating  in  the  sea
and entwined with driftwood on the beach; and

  WHEREAS, On Iwo Jima, Cowboy Anderson hauled ammunition and supplies
for  incoming  ships  to  the shore and delivered them to white infantry
units on the front lines, often amid rounds flying  about  their  heads;
and

  WHEREAS,  After Iwo Jima, Corporal Anderson served in the occupation
of Japan at Sasebo; sadly, he never received recognition after World War
II and had difficulty finding work; and

  WHEREAS, Eventually, he went to  work  in  his  brother's  junkyard;
ultimately,  he worked as a truck mechanic, retiring from Ryder in 1986;
and


  WHEREAS, Fortunately, in recent years America has begun to recognize
and  express  its  heartfelt  gratitude  to the service and sacrifice of
Corporal Anderson and his colleagues as the Montford Point Marines  were
awarded  the Congressional Gold Medal; he was also inducted into the New
York State Veterans Hall of Fame; and

  WHEREAS, Cowboy Anderson has six children, including four  with  his
second  wife,  Betty,  who he was with for 47 years until her passing in
2004; and

  WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at  home  and  abroad,
Cowboy  Anderson  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 Ambrose "Cowboy" Anderson 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 Ambrose "Cowboy" Anderson.
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