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.