Senate Resolution No. 2250

BY: Senator THOMAS

COMMENDING Ralph Cavaliere 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 Ralph
Cavaliere 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, Born in Italy in November of 1925, Ralph Cavaliere came to
the United States in November of 1928; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Cavaliere proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1945; stationed in Italy, he
flew as a tail-gunner on B-24s in the Fifteenth Air Force with the 779th
Squadron of the 464th Bombardment Group near Cerignola; and

WHEREAS, After five sorties and nine missions, Ralph Cavaliere and
his crew were transferred at the request of Colonel Monro MacCloskey who
needed someone who was well versed in the Italian language; this new
unit was the 885th Bomb Squadron, OSS, flying behind enemy lines to
supply partisan groups in Central Europe with equipment, currency and
agents; and

WHEREAS, Subsequently, the partisans rose up en masse, shortening
the war with the German Army in an orderly retreat despite attacks from
the air, ground and within; Ralph Cavaliere and his squadron received
the Presidential Unit Citation for this great success; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Second World War,
Ralph Cavaliere was awarded the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters,
EAME/MTO Theatre of Operations with 5 campaign stars, American Campaign
Medal and the Good Conduct Medal; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Ralph Cavaliere has been a dedicated member of the Massapequa
American Legion Post No. 1066 for nearly 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Ralph Cavaliere 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 Ralph Cavaliere 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 Ralph Cavaliere.