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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR D. MURRAY PRICE OF LEXINGTON COUNTY FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO MANKIND IN HIS COMMUNITY, CHURCH, STATE, AND NATION; TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS NINETY-NINTH BIRTHDAY; AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Murray Price will celebrate his ninety-ninth birthday on February 24, 2020; and
Whereas, a living institution in his beloved Town of Lexington, Mr. Price has dedicated his life to faithful service to God; preservation of our nation, its democratic ideals, and values; development and growth of Lexington; and devotion to his family and friends; and
Whereas, after graduating from Lexington High School in 1940, he responded to the shocking attack on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Empire when he volunteered in August 1942 for duty in the United States Army Air Corps; and
Whereas, after completion of flight school training at Fort Jackson nine months later, Mr. Price was assigned as copilot of a ten-man B-24 bomber crew joining the air war in the Pacific Theatre and later became pilot and leader of his crew with members from ten different states; and
Whereas, the crew flew a total of forty missions over Japanese territory, including Iwo Jima, Truk, Marcus, the Bonins, Tarawa, and Kwajalein, and the bomber, named Complete Miss, was hit on fifteen consecutive bombing operations; and
Whereas, despite the continued onslaught of Japanese zero fighters, Mr. Price's entire crew survived the war, and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf clusters, and two battle stars for his bravery and heroism. In recognition of his service in 2015, he received the Sergeant William Jasper Freedom Award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the Annual Military Veterans Award from the Blue Star Mothers in 2016; and
Whereas, upon his return to civilian life, he married his sweetheart, Frances Addy, and together they reared two fine children, Debbie and Jerry, both graduates of Newberry College. After serving PYA/Monarch, eventually becoming its executive vice president and CEO, he retired in 1984; and
Whereas, Mr. Price immersed himself in community service as a board and foundation member of the Lexington County Arts Association, YMCA of the Midlands, Lexington County Health Education Foundation, Crime Stoppers, Franke Home, Midlands Technical College, and Rotary Club. A leader among veterans, he also helped create the Honors Flight program to Washington, D. C.; and
Whereas, a devoted member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Lexington his entire life, he has served his church in many varied church positions; and
Whereas, in 2016, Newberry College conferred upon him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters for his "service to the country, to the Church, and to the community"; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to honor this son of South Carolina in celebrating his ninety-ninth birthday, and the members join with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor D. Murray Price of Lexington County for a lifetime of service to mankind in his community, Church, State, and nation; congratulate him on the occasion of his ninety-ninth birthday; and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and many years of continued health and happiness.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to D. Murray Price.
This web page was last updated on February 25, 2020 at 1:23 PM