Senate Resolution No. 546

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING Private Joseph J. Kucskar 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 Private
Joseph J. Kucskar 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, Joseph J. Kucskar was born in Connecticut on March 13,
1915; he attended school until the 8th grade and left due to learning
disabilities related to dyslexia; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his military service, Joseph J. Kucskar worked at
Cluett & Peabody Company, in Troy, New York, as a shirt ironer from 1933
until 1941; and

WHEREAS, Joseph J. Kucskar enlisted in the United States Army on
March 21, 1941; he was deployed to the Philippines on December 8, 1941,
and fought the Japanese in the southern Philippines (Luzon Island); all
United States and Filipino combatants fought valiantly against the
Japanese who had serious advantages of soldiers, weapons, re-supply and
air cover; and

WHEREAS, Private Joseph J. Kucskar was captured on April 9, 1942,
and forced to march in the Bataan Death March along with 10,000 American
soldiers and 60,000 Filipinos; he was a Prisoner of War (POW) at Camp
Cabanatuan, April 17,1942, and died there on November 9, 1942, from
amoebic dysentery, caused by drinking polluted water; and

WHEREAS, His remains were sent to the United States and he is buried
in St. Patrick's Cemetery, in his hometown of Watervliet, New York; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Private
Joseph J. Kucskar was awarded the: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, POW Medal,
American Defense Medal, American Theatre Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific
Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army of
Occupation Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Philippine Defense
Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon, United States Presidential
Citation, Philippine Presidential Citation Army Meritorious Unit
Citation, New York State Medal for Merit, New York State Conspicuous
Service Star, and New York State Conspicuous Service Cross; and


WHEREAS, Private Joseph J. Kucskar will be honored posthumously at a
Veterans Assembly in Green Island, New York, in November of 2021; in
addition, he will receive his high school diploma; 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,
Private Joseph J. Kucskar 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 Private Joseph J. Kucskar 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 Private Joseph J. Kucskar.