Recognizing U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic for his service aboard the USS Vulcan during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

89(R) SR 462 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 462

WHEREAS, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic rendered

exceptional service to his country as a member of the USS
Vulcan

crew during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962; and

WHEREAS, A native of Galveston, Mr. Urbanic served as an

opticalman petty officer 3rd class on the USS
Vulcan
; his

responsibilities aboard the ship included repairing binoculars,

telescopes, and such navigation equipment as sextants and

azimuth bearing circles; and

WHEREAS, In fall 1962, Petty Officer Urbanic had been

aboard the vessel for six weeks before the October outbreak of

the Cuban Missile Crisis, a major confrontation that brought the

United States and the Soviet Union dangerously close to war over

the presence of Soviet nuclear-armed ballistic missiles on the

island of Cuba; on October 22, President John F. Kennedy ordered

a naval quarantine in an effort to keep Soviet ships from

delivering more weapons to Cuba; the
Vulcan
was deployed to San

Juan, Puerto Rico, where Petty Officer Urbanic and his crewmates

provided essential repair, electronics, and support services to

the American ships forming a quarantine ring blockade around

Cuba; the strategy proved successful, and the
Vulcan
returned

home to Norfolk, Virginia, on November 30, following its 23-day

mission in the Caribbean; and

WHEREAS, Years later, Petty Officer Urbanic was honored

during a ceremony in League City, where he was presented with the

Texas Cold War Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, as

well as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, which recognized

his participation in the Cuban blockade; and

WHEREAS, Demonstrating exemplary skill and dedication,

Simon Urbanic upheld the highest ideals of the United States

military, and his fellow citizens owe him a lasting debt of

gratitude; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th

Legislature, hereby commend U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon

Urbanic for his exceptional service during the Cuban Missile

Crisis and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and,

be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be

prepared for Mr. Urbanic as an expression of high regard from the

Texas Senate.

Middleton

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the

above Resolution was adopted by

the Senate on April 29, 2025.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate