Bill Text: TX HCR146 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Directing the governor of the State of Texas to award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to U.S. Army veteran Rickey Dudley Wittner.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)
Status: (Passed) 2025-06-20 - Signed by the Governor [HCR146 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HCR146-Enrolled.html
| H.C.R. No. 146 | ||
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| WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established | ||
| to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state | ||
| or federal military forces, and it is fitting that U.S. Army veteran | ||
| Rickey Dudley Wittner be awarded this prestigious honor; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A native of Houston, Rickey Wittner enlisted in the | ||
| U.S. Army in August 1969 and underwent helicopter training at Fort | ||
| Eustis, Virginia, before beginning his service in the Vietnam War | ||
| with the U.S. Army 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company, 269th | ||
| Aviation Battalion; and | ||
| WHEREAS, On July 10, 1970, Specialist Fourth Class Wittner | ||
| was serving as crew chief on a helicopter that was resupplying river | ||
| patrol boats near Dau Tieng, Vietnam; the aircraft was struck by | ||
| heavy enemy fire, and the subsequent crash and explosion seriously | ||
| injured all passengers on board, with Specialist Wittner being | ||
| thrown from the helicopter; without regard for his own safety, he | ||
| repeatedly entered the flaming wreckage to rescue those trapped | ||
| inside; demonstrating remarkable bravery, he sustained severe | ||
| burns on his hands while extinguishing flames on the clothing of | ||
| those he rescued, and his efforts ultimately helped save the lives | ||
| of 12 people; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In recognition of his actions that day, Specialist | ||
| Wittner was awarded the Soldier's Medal for heroism; he also | ||
| received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal; following the | ||
| completion of his active-duty army service in 1975 at the rank of | ||
| Specialist Fifth Class, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve, | ||
| transferring to the Texas Army National Guard headquarters company | ||
| in Marshall as a member of the 5th Battalion, 112th Armor; in 1987, | ||
| he was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Rickey Wittner distinguished himself through his | ||
| acts of extraordinary courage, patriotism, and selflessness in the | ||
| Vietnam War, and it is indeed fitting that he be honored with the | ||
| highest military award conferred by the State of Texas; now, | ||
| therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby direct the governor of the State of Texas to award the Texas | ||
| Legislative Medal of Honor to U.S. Army veteran Rickey Dudley | ||
| Wittner in recognition of his valiant military service. | ||
| Shofner | ||
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
| President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 146 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 127, Nays 0, 2 present, not | ||
| voting. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 146 was adopted by the Senate on | ||
| June 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| APPROVED: __________________ | ||
| Date | ||
| __________________ | ||
| Governor | ||
