Honor Howard R. Older

Senate Resolution No. 2683 BY: Senator MARCHIONE HONORING Howard R. Older 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 peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Howard R. Older 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, to be presented at the Saratoga County Honor-A-Deceased-Veteran Ceremony on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at the County Building, Ballston Spa, New York; 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, Howard R. Older was born on October 20, 1915, in the Town of Galway, New York, to Benjamin and Martha Older; and WHEREAS, Howard R. Older and Helen May Taft were united in marriage on August 13, 1939, and had two children, William and Alice; he was employed by the American Locomotive Company as a Bench Hand, and was a member of the Middle Grove Methodist Church; and WHEREAS, On January 10, 1944, Howard R. Older entered into service with the United States Army; he trained at Camp Wheeler, and was assigned to the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division; and WHEREAS, Howard R. Older shipped overseas to fight in France and Germany on July 13, 1944; just one month after D-Day during the Normandy campaign, the 314th Infantry Regiment and its parent 79th Infantry Division helped capture the French port of Cherbourg, which was pivotal to the success of the D-Day invasion; and WHEREAS, As part of General George S. Patton's 3rd Army, Howard R. Older and the 314th Infantry Regiment was the first across the Seine River and was instrumental in the liberation of France; later in the winter of 1944, the Germans launched their massive counter offensive known as the Battle of the Bulge, and the 314th Infantry was again in the middle of fierce fighting; and WHEREAS, On January 25, 1945, Howard R. Older was killed in action while the Division was positioned south of Haguenau on the Moder River in France; he was listed as MIA until February 13, 1945, when evidence confirming his death was received; and WHEREAS, Howard R. Older was a Staff Sergeant at the time of his death, and was awarded the Purple Heart and The Combat Infantryman Badge for his valiant military service; 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, Howard R. Older 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 Howard R. Older 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 Howard R. Older.