HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING "MEDAL OF HONOR DAY" ON MARCH 25, 2026, IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

H8341

2026 -- H 8341
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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, 2026, IN THE STATE
OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Azzinaro, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Fellela,
Abney, Hull, J. Lombardi, Santucci, and Hopkins

Date Introduced:
March 24, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration
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in the United States. It is awarded by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress,
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"to members of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves conspicuously by their
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gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty"; and
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WHEREAS, There are three distinct versions of the Medal of Honor. The United States
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Navy introduced its version in 1861, which is awarded to members of the United States Navy, the
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Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. The United States Army introduced its version in 1862, and
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the United States Air Force introduced its version in 1965. Prior to 1965, members of the Air
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Force received the United States Army version of the Medal of Honor; and
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WHEREAS, "Medal of Honor Day" is a federal holiday that was established to honor the
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heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients. It was created when President George H. W.
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Bush signed Public Law 101-564 on November 15, 1990; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island has the distinction of having thirty-five of its citizens receive
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the Medal of Honor. These heroic men were, from the Civil War, Lieutenant William B. Avery,
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(Navy), Sergeant William J. Babcock, (Army), Corporal James A. Barber, (Army), Captain
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George M. Bliss, (Army), Colonel Zenas R. Bliss, (Army), Lieutenant John K. Bucklyn, (Army),
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Sergeant James H. Burbank, (Army), Corporal Benjamin H. Child, (Army), Private John
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Corcoran, (Army), Captain of the Top John Edwards, (Navy), Private Charles D. Ennis, (Army),
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Sergeant John H. Havron, (Army), Coxswain Thomas Hayes, (Navy), Corporal Samuel E. Lewis,

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(Army), Private George E. McDonald, (Army), Sergeant Archibald Molbone, (Army), Corporal
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Thomas Parker, (Army), Private George W. Potter, (Army), Seaman George E. Read (Navy),
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Private Joseph Taylor, ( Army), Lieutenant Edward P. Tobie, (Army), and Private James Welsh,
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(Army). The Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaign are Sergeant John S. Lawton,
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(Army), and Private Owen McGar (Army). The Medal of Honor recipients from the Interim
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Period are Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer, John Davis (Navy), Boatswain’s Mate
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Matthew Gillick, (Navy), Seaman Philip Moore, (Navy), and Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty
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Officer, Michael Walsh, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipient from the Mexican Campaign is
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Gunner’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, George Bradley, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipient from
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World War I is Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, Francis Edward Ormsbee, Jr., (Navy). The
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Medal of Honor recipient from the Interim Period between World Wars I and II is Gunner’s Mate
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Chief Petty Officer, Thomas Eadie, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipients from World War II
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are Sergeant William G. Fournier, (Army), Private George G. Peters, (Army), and Lieutenant
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Robert T. Waugh, (Army), and the Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War is Corporal
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David B. Champagne, (United States Marine Corps); now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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commemorates "Medal of Honor Day" and all its heroic recipients on March 25, 2026; and be it
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further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the
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State of Rhode Island, Mr. Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services, and
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Brigadier General Andrew J. Chevalier, Rhode Island Adjutant General.
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