LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Patriot Richard R. Gerbeth, Jr. upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the Army Commendation Medal
with Valor for outstanding service to the military

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel since the
United States Armed Forces commenced Operation Iraqi Freedom will ensure
our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of democracy,
and as a defender of liberty for people throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably during Operation Iraqi Freedom,
deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to act, in accord
with its long-standing traditions, to honor Patriot Richard R. Gerbeth,
Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Army
Commendation Medal with Valor for outstanding service to the military;
this momentous occasion will be celebrated during a Ceremony on Monday,
May 23, 2016, at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site,
Newburgh, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Secretary of the Army of the United States of America
will present the Army Commendation Medal with Valor to Sergeant Richard
R. Gerbeth, Jr., United States Army, for heroism during ground combat
operations against enemy forces in the Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq; and
WHEREAS, While under enemy fire, Sergeant Richard R. Gerbeth, Jr.
maneuvered across a canal road to rescue the patrol leader who had fall-
en into the canal; recognizing the gravity of the situation, Sergeant
Gerbeth, while under fire, maneuvered across the canal road to rescue
the patrol leader who had fallen into a canal where the water was
approximately seven feet deep; and
WHEREAS, Although exposed to enemy fire, Sergeant Richard R. Gerbeth,
Jr. remained with the patrol leader, maintaining communications with
higher-ups throughout the ordeal; upon rejoining the ambush team he
called in successive illumination missions enabling the platoon to sweep
the vineyards and mudflats north of the ambush site; and
WHEREAS, Acting as the Ambush Team RTO, Sergeant Richard R. Gerbeth,
Jr. engaged the enemy and coordinated for the QRF to respond; acting on
his own initiative he vectored in the gun trucks to support the follow
on sweep; his attention to detail and stringent enforcement of PCI's
insured availability of all equipment which proved to be vital to the
mission's success; and
WHEREAS, Today, Patriot Richard R. Gerbeth, Jr. serves as the Military
Order of the Purple Heart's (MOPH) National Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms,
the esteemed position he has held since 2014; he joined MOPH in 2012,
and is a Life Member and Commander of Chapter 1782 New York; and
WHEREAS, This brave soldier began his illustrious military career in
January of 1991, when he enlisted in the United States Navy at the age
of 18; and
WHEREAS, After attending Westchester Community College and working
with the United Parcel Service, Patriot Richard R. Gerbeth, Jr. joined
the New York Army Reserve/National Guard in 1999, and volunteered for
infantry; he was activated for state missions throughout New York during
and post September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, In October of 2003, Patriot Richard R. Gerbeth, Jr. and his
National Guard unit, Alpha Company Task Force, 2nd Battalion-108th
Infantry Regiment was mobilized and attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat
Team, 1st Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Then Sergeant Richard R. Gerbeth, Jr. served as an E-5/Fire
Team Leader within the Sunni Triangle during the Persian Gulf War from

February 2004 through December 2004; he was honorably discharged after
one year for medical reasons; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the auspicious Army Commendation Medal with
Valor, Patriot Richard Gerbeth, Jr. has received numerous individual
decorations including the Purple Heart Medal, Army Achievement Medal,
and the Combat Infantrymen's Badge; and
WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we who are the beneficiaries of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Patriot Richard R. Gerbeth, Jr. upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as recipient of the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for
outstanding service to the military; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Patriot Richard R. Gerbeth, Jr.