Honor Joseph W. Van Deusen

Senate Resolution No. 1240 BY: Senator JORDAN COMMENDING Joseph W. Van Deusen 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Joseph W. Van Deusen 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 Monday, April 22, 2019; 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, Joseph Warren Van Deusen was born to Charles and Magdalene (Spath) Van Deusen on December 26, 1918, in Hudson, New York; he graduated from the Hudson Central School District where he served as class President for three years; and WHEREAS, Joseph W. Van Deusen worked as a shipping and receiving clerk before entering into the United States Army on August 30, 1943; upon the successful completion of basic training, he received Basic Pilot Training (1051 Pilot T E) at Shaw Field, South Carolina, and Advanced Pilot Training at Turner Field, Georgia, where he was qualified to fly a B-25; and WHEREAS, 1st Lieutenant Joseph W. Van Deusen was assigned to Squadron E. 112 AAF at Westover Field, Massachusetts, where he trained hundreds of servicemen who flew B-25s and the P-47s in the European Theater of Operation; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, 1st Lieutenant Joseph W. Van Deusen was awarded the American Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service on December 1,

1945, Joseph W. Van Deusen returned to his hometown and married the former Alice E. Hennessy on April 26, 1947, and together, they raised three children, Dirck, Kathleen and Christine; and WHEREAS, For 38 years, Joseph W. Van Deusen served as President and CEO for Hudson City Savings Institution, the positions from which he officially retired in 1982; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his community, Joseph W. Van Deusen was a member of numerous Boards including BOCES, Columbia County Industry Management Club, Empire State Certified Development Corporation, and Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce; and WHEREAS, Joseph W. Van Deusen also held the titles of President of Greenport and Hudson Board of Education, co-Chair for the Community Chest and Red Cross Drives, Director AAA Hudson Valley, President of both Greenport Historical Society and the Hudson Rotary Club, and Deacon, Elder/Treasurer of the First Reform Church of Hudson; and WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community, Joseph W. Van Deusen was the recipient of the Hudson Jaycee Distinguished Service Award; and WHEREAS, When he was not helping someone, Joseph W. Van Deusen enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his four grandchildren, and hitting the links at the Columbia Golf and Country Club; and WHEREAS, Joseph W. Van Deusen passed away on March 31, 2017, at the age of 98, and was buried in Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson; 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, Joseph W. Van Deusen 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 commending Joseph W. Van Deusen 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 Joseph W. Van Deusen.