Honor Arthur Thompson Liberty Medal

Senate Resolution No. 3989 BY: Senator TEDISCO HONORING Arthur E. Thompson 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 Arthur E. Thompson 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 Schenectady County Honor-A-Deceased-Veteran Ceremony on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the VFW Post 357, Schenectady, 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, Born on February 8, 1922, Arthur E. Thompson proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy with honor and distinction from December 15, 1942 until June 30, 1970; and WHEREAS, During his more than 26 years of active duty, Arthur E. Thompson served his Nation in a variety of demanding capacities; and WHEREAS, From March of 1944 until October of 1947, Arthur E. Thompson served as Co-Pilot and Pilot in various Fleet Tactical Support Squadrons and saw action in the Pacific Theatre during World War II; from there, this brave soldier was assigned to United States Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas as a flight instructor; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his tour of duty, Arthur E. Thompson was selected to attend the University of Washington, which he completed in 1954; he was then selected to attend the General Line School at Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, where he graduated in September of 1954; and WHEREAS, Arthur E. Thompson was then assigned to the USS Rochester as Main Battery Officer and later as the Assistant Gunnery Officer; in July of 1956, he was transferred to the USS Fechteler as Executive Officer and Navigator; and WHEREAS, In February of 1957, Arthur E. Thompson was assigned to the United States Naval Auxiliary Air Station, where he was responsible for the training of young naval aviation officers; from February of 1960 until February of 1963, he was assigned to Air Early Warning Squadron and spent many trying hours as an Aircraft Commander and Flight Training Officer; and WHEREAS, Arthur E. Thompson served as Executive Officer of Training Squadron Two from March of 1963 until October of 1964, when he reported to his final duty station as Director and Assistant Director of the first Navy Recruiting Area; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service, Arthur E. Thompson was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal and Air Medal, 1 Gold Star; and WHEREAS, Arthur E. Thompson was the loving husband to his wife, the late Jeanette E. Thompson, the proud father of three children, and the doting grandfather of two 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, Arthur E. Thompson 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 Arthur E. Thompson 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 Arthur E. Thompson.