Honor Dawson with Liberty Medal

Senate Resolution No. 3124 BY: Senator MARCHIONE COMMENDING James A. Dawson 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 commend James A. Dawson 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 Columbia County Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony on Monday, November 27, 2017; 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, James A. Dawson was born on March 6, 1920, to Robert and Anne (Armstrong) Dawson in Mt. Vernon, New York; he was raised in Hillsdale, New York, where he graduated from Roeliff Jansen High School in June of 1938; later, he majored in agriculture at the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill; and WHEREAS, James A. Dawson was drafted into the United States Army on

August 4, 1944; after successfully completing both basic training and advanced infantry training, he was assigned to the 358th Infantry Battalion as a machine gunner in the European Theater of Operation; and WHEREAS, On February 10, 1945, while engaged with enemy forces in the Battle of the Bulge, Tech Sergeant James A. Dawson was severely wounded by artillery fragmentation, and subsequently, evacuated to England for medical treatment; after recovering from his wounds, he was assigned to the 398th Military Police Battalion in France; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Tech Sergeant James A. Dawson was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, WWII Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge; and WHEREAS, After his discharge on July 26, 1946, James A. Dawson returned to Columbia County and married Carolyn Lossow on September 19,

1948, in Hillsdale, New York; together, the couple raised three children; and WHEREAS, Over the next three decades, James A. Dawson worked as a farmer, milk tester, truck driver, and performed highway maintenance for Columbia County Solid Waste, the position from which he retired after 20 years of service; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his community, James A. Dawson served as a Mason, a member of the Hillsdale VFW, and a communicant of the North Hillsdale Methodist Church; and WHEREAS, James A. Dawson died on May 27, 2017, at the age of 97; he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn; his two sons, James and John; one daughter, Bonnie; four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; 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, James A. Dawson 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 commend James A. Dawson 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 James A. Dawson.