Download This Bill in Microsoft Word format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
H. 5299
STATUS INFORMATION
Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Lourie, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young
Document Path: l:\council\bills\gjk\21261sd04.doc
Introduced in the House on May 19, 2004
Introduced in the Senate on May 19, 2004
Adopted by the General Assembly on May 19, 2004
Summary: Charles P. Murray, Jr.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5/19/2004 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-22 5/19/2004 Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-22
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF ARMY FIRST LIEUTENANT CHARLES P. MURRAY, JR., A NATIVE OF MARYLAND AND A RESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR DURING WORLD WAR II FOR VALOR, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.
Whereas, throughout our nation's history, men and women in all eras from Concord and Lexington to Falleujah have gone in harm's way to protect and secure our country's freedom and way of life; and
Whereas, to recognize extraordinary heroism the Congress of the United States established the Medal of Honor which represents the highest award for valor that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States; and
Whereas, there have been more than three thousand four hundred recipients but fewer than one hundred forty remain with us today; and
Whereas, most recipients of the medal are ordinary Americans from ordinary backgrounds who, under extraordinary circumstances and at great risk to their own lives, performed an incredible act or a series of acts of conspicuous valor that clearly sets them apart from their comrades; and
Whereas, thirty-seven citizens with South Carolina roots have received the Medal of Honor since its inception; and
Whereas, Army First Lieutenant Charles P. Murray, Jr., is one of these heroes who fortunately is with us today; and
Whereas, after D-Day as his division fought through the Vosges Mountains and reached the Rhine River at Strasbourg, Lieutenant Murray served as rifle platoon leader and company executive officer before he was put in command of his company; and
Whereas, early on the morning of December 16, 1944, Lieutenant Murray decided to accompany one of his platoons down a narrow winding mountain trail leading to the valley below in an attempt to deny that route to the enemy; and
Whereas, a large German force was partially hidden in a sunken road at the bottom of the hill and in a position to move against the Americans above. Lieutenant Murray crawled to a vantage point where he could see the exact location of the enemy and called in artillery. The first round was off target. He adjusted the range and was calling for another when his radio went dead. Using a borrowed rifle with a grenade launcher, he fired the platoon's supply of grenades down on the enemy; and
Whereas, when a mortar arrived from his company, Lieutenant Murray took over as gunner, firing until all the rounds were gone. With the Germans at this point in full retreat, he stood up, drew his pistol, and led the charge down the trail. Near the bottom, he came upon a German soldier dug into a position above the road. The soldier put up his hands as if to surrender but then threw a grenade, which knocked Murray down. Although wounded by shrapnel, he got to his feet, took the German prisoner, and continued down the trail. All that was left of the fleeing German force was its wounded. Fifty Germans were dead and a truck Lt. Murray destroyed had been carrying three heavy mortars; and
Whereas, after seeing that his troops were properly deployed to hold the position, Murray went back up the hill, turned his command over to his executive officer, and walked to the battalion aid station. He was hospitalized until after Christmas. He then rejoined his men on the hill where he had left them; and
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to publicly recognize and honor Army First Lieutenant Charles P. Murray, Jr., this brave and courageous American for his extraordinary heroism in the defense of our country and her ideals which epitomizes the very best of America. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly commend the extraordinary heroism of Army First Lieutenant Charles P. Murray, Jr., a native of Maryland and a resident of South Carolina, who was awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II for valor, which is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Army First Lieutenant Charles P. Murray, Jr.
This web page was last updated on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 10:42 A.M.