2009-2010 Bill 1468: Army Colonel Charles P. Murray, Jr. - South Carolina Legislature Online

1 South Carolina General Assembly 2 118th Session, 2009-2010 3 4 S. 1468 5 6 STATUS INFORMATION 7 8 Senate Resolution 9 Sponsors: Senators Lourie, Alexander, Anderson, Bright, Bryant, Campbell, Campsen, Cleary, Coleman, 10 Courson, Cromer, Davis, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Grooms, Hayes, Hutto, Jackson, Knotts, Land, Leatherman, 11 Leventis, Malloy, L. Martin, S. Martin, Massey, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Mulvaney, Nicholson, 12 O'Dell, Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Reese, Rose, Ryberg, Scott, Setzler, Sheheen, Shoopman, Thomas, 13 Verdin and Williams 14 Document Path: l:\council\bills\rm\1277sd10.docx 15 16 Introduced in the Senate on May 19, 2010 17 Adopted by the Senate on May 19, 2010 18 19 Summary: Army Colonel Charles P. Murray, Jr. 20 21 22 HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS 23 24 Date Body Action Description with journal page number 25 5/19/2010 Senate Introduced and adopted SJ19 26 27 28 VERSIONS OF THIS BILL 29 30 5/19/2010 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A SENATE RESOLUTION 10 11 TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF 12 RETIRED UNITED STATES ARMY COLONEL CHARLES P. 13 MURRAY, JR., OF COLUMBIA, WHO FOR HIS VALOR WAS 14 GRANTED THE MEDAL OF HONOR, THE HIGHEST 15 AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF 16 THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES. 17 18 Whereas, throughout our nation’s history, men and women in all 19 eras from Concord and Lexington to Falleujah have gone into 20 harm’s way to protect and secure our country’s freedom and way 21 of life; and 22 23 Whereas, to recognize extraordinary heroism, the Congress of the 24 United States established the Medal of Honor, the highest award 25 for valor that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces 26 of the United States; and 27 28 Whereas, three thousand four hundred fortynine of these 29 servicemen have received this signal honor, but fewer than one 30 hundred remain with us today; and 31 32 Whereas, most recipients of the medal are ordinary Americans 33 from ordinary backgrounds who, under extraordinary 34 circumstances and at great risk to their own lives, performed an 35 incredible act or a series of acts of conspicuous valor that clearly 36 sets them apart from their comrades; and 37 38 Whereas, thirtyfive recipients with South Carolina roots have 39 received the Medal of Honor since its inception in 1862; and 40 41 Whereas, United States Army Colonel Charles P. Murray, Jr., is 42 one of these South Carolinians; and

[1468] 2 1 2 Whereas, he earned the award as commander of Company C, 30th 3 Infantry, displaying supreme courage and heroic initiative near 4 Kaysersberg, France on December 16, 1944, while leading a 5 reinforced platoon into enemy territory. By his singlehanded attack 6 on an overwhelming force and by his intrepid and heroic fighting, 7 thenFirst Lieutenant Murray stopped a counterattack, established 8 an advance position against formidable odds, and provided an 9 inspiring example for the men of his command; and 10 11 Whereas, Colonel Murray has received numerous other honors in 12 recognition of his courageous actions, as well as for his longtime 13 support of the Army infantry. In his hometown of Wilmington, 14 North Carolina, a middle school is named after him. Most recently, 15 Fort Jackson awarded him the Order of St. Maurice, and American 16 Legion Post 6, where he has been a member for three decades, 17 renamed its banquet room in his honor. In addition, Fort Jackson 18 extended recognition to Colonel Murray’s devoted wife of 19 sixtyseven years, Anne, in presenting her the Shield of Sparta, 20 which honors spouses for their support of the infantry; and 21 22 Whereas, the South Carolina Senate counts it a great privilege to 23 honor United States Army Colonel Charles P. Murray, Jr., 24 recipient of the Medal of Honor, and the members with one voice 25 offer their grateful thanks to Almighty God for his extraordinary 26 heroism in defense of our country and its ideals. Now, therefore, 27 28 Be it resolved by the Senate: 29 30 That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, 31 commend the extraordinary heroism of retired United States Army 32 Colonel Charles P. Murray, Jr., of Columbia, who for his valor was 33 granted the Medal of Honor, the highest award that can be 34 bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States. 35 36 Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to 37 United States Army Colonel Charles P. Murray, Jr. 38 XX 39

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