2022 -- H 8043

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LC005583

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING "MEDAL OF HONOR DAY" ON MARCH 25, 2022, IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Vella-Wilkinson,
Casey, Fellela, Filippi, Cardillo, McLaughlin, and Abney

     Date Introduced: March 24, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration

in the United States. It is awarded by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress,

"to members of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves conspicuously by their

gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty"; and

     WHEREAS, There are three distinct versions of the Medal of Honor. The United States

Navy introduced its version in 1861, which is awarded to members of the United States Navy, the

Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. The United States Army introduced its version in 1862, and

the United States Air Force introduced its version in 1965. Prior to 1965, members of the Air

Force received the United States Army version of the Medal of Honor; and

     WHEREAS, "Medal of Honor Day" is a federal holiday that was established to honor the

heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients. It was created when President George H. W.

Bush signed Public Law 101-564 on November 15, 1990; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has the distinction of having thirty-five of its citizens receive

the Medal of Honor. These heroic men were, from the Civil War, Lieutenant William B. Avery,

(Navy), Sergeant William J. Babcock, (Army), Corporal James A. Barber, (Army), Captain

George M. Bliss, (Army), Colonel Zenas R. Bliss, (Army), Lieutenant John K. Bucklyn, (Army),

Sergeant James H. Burbank, (Army), Corporal Benjamin H. Child, (Army), Private John

Corcoran, (Army), Captain of the Top John Edwards, (Navy), Private Charles D. Ennis, (Army),

Sergeant John H. Havron, (Army), Coxswain Thomas Hayes, (Navy), Corporal Samuel E. Lewis,

(Army), Private George E. McDonald, (Army), Sergeant Archibald Molbone, (Army), Corporal

Thomas Parker, (Army), Private George W. Potter, (Army), Seaman George E. Read (Navy),

Private Joseph Taylor, ( Army), Lieutenant Edward P. Tobie, (Army), and Private James Welsh,

(Army). The Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaign are Sergeant John S. Lawton,

(Army), and Private Owen McGar (Army). The Medal of Honor recipients from the Interim

Period are Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer, John Davis (Navy), Boatswain’s Mate

Matthew Gillick, (Navy), Seaman Philip Moore, (Navy), and Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty

Officer, Michael Walsh, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipient from the Mexican Campaign is

Gunner’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, George Bradley, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipient from

World War I is Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, Francis Edward Ormsbee, Jr., (Navy). The

Medal of Honor recipient from the Interim Period between World Wars I and II is Gunner’s Mate

Chief Petty Officer, Thomas Eadie, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipients from World War II

are Sergeant William G. Fournier, (Army), Private George G. Peters, (Army), and Lieutenant

Robert T. Waugh, (Army), and the Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War is Corporal

David B. Champagne, (United States Marine Corps); now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates "Medal of Honor Day" on March 25, 2022; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the

State of Rhode Island, Mr. Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs, and

Major General Christopher Callahan, Rhode Island Adjutant General.

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LC005583

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