Senate Resolution No. 987

BY: Senator HINCHEY

COMMENDING George Buchanan Ten Eyck 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 esteemed Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend George
Buchanan Ten Eyck 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; this prestigious honor will be
awarded on Thursday, May 15, 2025; 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, On November 29, 1925, George Buchanan Ten Eyck was born to
the late George and Viva (Acker) Ten Eyck in Poughkeepsie, New York;
during his early years at Poughkeepsie High School, he met his future
wife, Jane Schulenberg; at age 17, he left school and entered the United
States Navy on October 20, 1943; and

WHEREAS, Gunner's Mate (GM) Ten Eyck attended Gunner's Mate School
at the Sampson United States Naval Training Station in Romulus, New
York, before boarding the USS LSM (Landing Ship Medium) 33 in San Diego,
California, which then headed to Pearl Harbor; and

WHEREAS, For approximately 18 months, George Ten Eyck kept a diary,
describing his travels--the number of times he crossed the equator, his
quiet birthday, the awe and beauty he found in the Pacific Islands, and
special meals with ice cream; and

WHEREAS, The most descriptive parts of his diary were about battles
near Okinawa, Luzon, and Leyte, ships being torpedoed, suicide bombers,
mines in the water, noise from gunfire, the cargo and soldiers they
carried through blinding smoke, and 58 straight days of "raids" in
Okinawa; the diary ended in July 1945 when his ship left Okinawa to
destinations unknown to the Gunner's Mate and his fellow shipmates; and

WHEREAS, On April 19, 1946, at age 20, George Ten Eyck was
discharged, returning to his home in Poughkeepsie; on September 8, 1946,
he married Jane Schulenberg at the Poughkeepsie Reformed Church; the
couple were blessed with two daughters; and

WHEREAS, In his civilian life, George Ten Eyck was employed by both
De Laval and H.O. Penn and became like a second son to his in-laws,
Charles and Janet Schulenberg; and

WHEREAS, On October 16, 1959, after years of suffering from the
effects of his service as a sailor, George Ten Eyck died at Vassar
Hospital in Poughkeepsie at the age of 33; and

WHEREAS, At 6' 6" in stature, GM Ten Eyck was an unmistakable
figure, especially aboard a United States Navy ship; beyond his
impressive stature, he was a man remembered most for his gentle heart,
deep kindness, and unwavering devotion to his family; his daughters,
Cheryl and Darlene, remember his love of reading and bowling, taking
them to Sam's Market for ice pops, picnics at Rudd Pond, and Christmas
shopping for their mother; and

WHEREAS, George Ten Eyck's was a beautiful life cut short; however,
it is one that is memorialized in the foundation of love and strong
family ties he gave his daughters and the way he and his wife taught
them to treat people with kindness and to love their children; his widow
never remarried because, in her words, she'd had the best; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism, both at home and abroad,
George Ten Eyck 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 George Buchanan Ten Eyck 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 George Buchanan Ten Eyck.