Honor Medal for Bower

Senate Resolution No. 5930 BY: Senator MARCHIONE COMMENDING Ernest Clifford Bower 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, 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, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have served in times of peace; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ernest Clifford Bower 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, Ernest Clifford Bower was born in Hudson, New York, on

November 1, 1950; he received basic training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, qualifying with the M-1 rifle and carbine; and WHEREAS, PFC Ernest Clifford Bower was assigned to Company D, 120th Engineers Combat Battalion located in Inchon, Korea; upon completing his term of enlistment, he returned to the United States and was honorably discharged on November 1, 1952; and WHEREAS, PFC Ernest Clifford Bower was awarded the Korean Service Medal w/ bronze service star and the United Nations Service Medal; and WHEREAS, Later, on February 25, 1957, Ernest Clifford Bower enlisted in the United States Army in Albany, New York; after basic training, he received additional training at Fort Lee, Virginia, at the Quartermaster School earning the rank of Specialist 4; he was next assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company at the Army Garrison at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as a Quartermaster Supply Specialist; and WHEREAS, In April of 1958, Specialist 4 Ernest Clifford Bower was assigned to the Pacific on the Island of Eniwetok with a secret clearance; from April through August of 1958, 22 near-surface nuclear denotations were conducted on Eniwetok; records indicate that he was exposed to radiation on the Island of Eniwetok and, after October of that year, a nuclear test moratorium was enacted; and WHEREAS, Upon completion of his military obligation, Specialist 4 Earnest Clifford Bower was honorably discharged a second time on

February 24, 1960, and returned to his home in Columbia County; and WHEREAS, In the years that followed, Ernest Clifford Bower worked at a funeral home and for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles in Albany for more than 20 years; and WHEREAS, Ernest Clifford Bower of Linlithgo, New York, passed away at the age of 65 on November 30, 1994, and is buried in Cedar Park Cemetery in Hudson; he is survived by his two sisters, Ruth Bower and Dorothy Bower; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of such high standards, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Ernest Clifford Bower 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 Ernest Clifford Bower.