LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Arnold Bocksel, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Arnold Bocksel of Syosset, New York, World War II veteran and
one of the last Bataan Death March survivors, died on Sunday, February
27, 2011, at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, Arnold Bocksel was among the oldest former POW from the
United States; an Army Chief Warrant Officer, he later became a Chief
Engineer Army Officer; and
WHEREAS, In the course of American history, there are certain individ-
uals, such as Arnold Bocksel, who are legendary for their unparalleled
bravery in lending their might to the defense of our Nation during times
of war; and
WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn in 1913, Arnold Bocksel graduated from the
State University of New York Maritime College in Throgs Neck, New York,
before volunteering for the United States Army in 1941, when he was 27
years of age; and
WHEREAS, First sent to Manila, Philippines, on mine plant duty to help
protect the harbor at Corregidor, Arnold Bocksel was taken prisoner in
Bataan and was forced to march four miles inland in Manchuria without
food or water; and
WHEREAS, After the war Arnold Bocksel spent many years as a general
sales manager of FMC Corporation, from which he retired in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Arnold Bocksel went on to write the novel RICE, MEN AND
BARBED WIRE which was published in 1991; it chronicles the treatment of
POWs by Japanese captors in various camps in the Philippines from 1942
to 1945; and
WHEREAS, Arnold Bocksel is a decorated war hero; among his numerous
honors he has received the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, National
Defense Medal, American Defense Medal with Foreign Service Clasp, Asiat-
ic Pacific Medal with Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign
Medal, and Conspicuous Service Cross from New York State; and
WHEREAS, Arnold Bocksel has been acknowledged through several Presi-
dential Citations, from both the United States and the Philippines; and
WHEREAS, Arnold Bocksel had often been the Guest of Honor at various
parties and Syosset's Memorial Day Parades for many years; he was the
oldest member of both the American Legion Post 175 in Syosset, and the
Veterans of Foreign Wars; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his beloved wife of 38 years, Peggy, Arnold
Bocksel is survived by four loving children, nine wonderful grandchil-
dren and 11 great-children; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Arnold Bocksel leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Arnold Bocksel, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Arnold Bocksel.