Honor Henry Cornell Posthumously

Senate Resolution No. 1650 BY: Senator TEDISCO HONORING Henry Cornell posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Henry Cornell posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, Henry Cornell was born in May of 1897, to Frank and Lillian (Crandall) Cornell in the Town of Milton; he proudly served his country as a member of the Company B 23rd Infantry in the United States Army during World War I; and WHEREAS, The Regiment set sail in September of 1917, arriving at St. Nazaire, France; the men moved to the vicinity of St. Thiebault where they immediately began intensive training; and WHEREAS, The 23rd Infantry occupied a sub-sector near Rangieres on

March 17, 1918, and remained in that defensive area until May when the German threat to Paris became imminent in the Chateau Thierry area; and WHEREAS, The Regiment, along with other Divisional units, was rushed up to the strategic Paris-Metz Road, where the advancing enemy was engaged; this open warfare was entirely new, as action in the previous months had been largely trench warfare; the Regiment immediately counter-attacked and stopped the German drive in its sector; and WHEREAS, Although a number of soldiers lost their lives, the tactical action steadied the Allied line from Switzerland to the sea, and proved the fortitude of American troops, which had never been used to check an enemy drive of that scale; and WHEREAS, On June 23, 1918, Henry Cornell was gassed at Chateau Thierry in France; unfortunately, he succumbed to this horrific injury on July 1, 1918; and WHEREAS, In 1919, the American Legion Post 234 in Ballston Spa received its charter and subsequently, named it in honor of Henry Cornell; and WHEREAS, On June 23, 1921, Henry Cornell was buried with full military honors in the Factory Village Cemetery in Ballston Spa, New York; and WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing in action; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, Henry Cornell demonstrated his love for his country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of his State and Nation; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Henry Cornell posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Henry Cornell.