Honor WWII Veteran Posthumously

Senate Resolution No. 5415 BY: Senator LITTLE COMMENDING Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. 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 Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. 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 Veteran Ceremony on May 21, 2018; 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, Wilfred Dinwitty MacGiffert, Jr. was born to Wilfred D. and Aleta MacGiffert on May 17, 1925, in Hudson, New York, where he attended both Stottville and Greenport Elementary Schools and Hudson High School; and WHEREAS, Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. entered the United States Navy on August 16, 1945, at the end of his third year of high school; after completing basic training at Camp Peary, Virginia, he was trained as a motor machinist's mate in Gulfport, Mississippi; and WHEREAS, Machinist Mate 3rd Class Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. was assigned to the 133rd Navy Seabees, Company D, 5th Platoon in the Pacific Theater of Operations; after amphibious landing and jungle training in Hawaii, he was assigned to the 4th Marine Division; and WHEREAS, The 133rd Navy Seabees landed with the 4th Marine Division on day one of the battle for Iwo Jima; encountering all the hazards of front line combat, they unloaded supplies, laid steel mats from the LSTs on the soft black sand, and repaired and constructed the airstrips which would be vital to the continued offensive on Japan; exhibiting the "CB Can Do" spirit, the 133rd Navy Seabees incurred 246 casualties alongside the Marines in the famous battle; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Machinist Mate 3rd Class Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal w/star and arrowhead, the Victory Medal, and the American Campaign Medal; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. returned to his hometown and opened MacGiffert Brothers Garage with his brother Jack; he married his late wife Anne on May 16,

1973, in Hudson, New York; and WHEREAS, During the 1950s, Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. owned and raced stock cars; in 1990, he retired from the family business and went to work for Thorpe's GMC in Tannersville, New York; and WHEREAS, Wllfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. was a devoted and vital part of his community; he was a life member of Greenport Fire Co. No. 1 and Hudson Elks No. 787, and held the title of Director of Hudson Powerboat Society, and Navy Seabee Veterans of America in Davie, Florida; and WHEREAS, Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. died on August 3, 2017, in his home in Hudson, at the age of 92; Wilfred is survived by his two sons, Robert and Paul MacGiffert; three step-children, Joseph Barca, Maryann Bopp and John Barca; four grandchildren, and three 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, Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. 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 Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. 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 Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr.