Honor Van Deusen with Medal

Senate Resolution No. 1241 BY: Senator JORDAN COMMENDING Charles H. Van Deusen, 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, 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 Charles H. Van Deusen, 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 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, Charles Henderson Van Deusen, Jr. was born to Charles and Magdalena (Spath) Van Deusen on November 15, 1914, in Livingston, New York; in 1933, he graduated from Hudson High School; and WHEREAS, After working as a machinist, Charles H. Van Deusen, Jr. entered the United States Army on June 1, 1942, in Albany, New York; after qualifying as a marksman with the M-1 in basic training, he became an Air Operations Specialist and was assigned to the Army Air Force; and WHEREAS, On October 16, 1942, Corporal Charles Van Deusen, Jr. was assigned to the 11th Army Air Force in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, as a machinist with air ground crew and runway maintenance at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor; and WHEREAS, Corporal Charles Van Deusen, Jr. returned to the United States on November 6, 1944, and was assigned to the 4000th AAF Base Unit at Paterson Field, Ohio, where he was honorably discharged on October

27, 1945; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Corporal Charles Van Deusen, Jr. was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/ Bronze star and the Good Conduct Medal; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Charles H. Van Deusen, Jr. returned to his hometown and married Doris Anderson in May of 1948 at Christ Church in Hudson, and together, they raised two children, Neal and Allyn; and WHEREAS, For many years, Charles H. Van Deusen, Jr. was employed by Gifford-Wood Co., where he served in several roles including machinist, personnel manager and then personal assistant to his boss, Ben Gifford; in 1960, he began working for Van Tassel Tool Company in Hudson, a position he held until he officially retired in 1978; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his community, Charles H. Van Deusen, Jr. was an active member of the Hudson International Rotary, Hudson Elks 787, Hudson Mystics Athletic Club, and the Hudson Columbia Golf and Country Club; he was also a warden for Christ Episcopal Church; and WHEREAS, Charles H. Van Deusen, Jr. passed away on August 2, 1982, at the age of 67, and was buried in Cedar Park Cemetery in 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, commending Charles H. Van Deusen, 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 Charles H. Van Deusen, 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 Charles H. Van Deusen, Jr.