LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sergeant William Shemin posthumously
upon the occasion of receiving the prestigious Medal of Honor

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Forces, who have served so valiantly and
honorably in wars in which our Nation's freedom was at stake, and during
which the United States proudly stood as a defender of liberty and human
dignity, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, the Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
United States Army Sergeant William Shemin posthumously upon the occa-
sion of receiving the prestigious Medal of Honor; this meritorious honor
will be presented at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, June 2, 2015;
and
WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest military medal bestowed by
the United States and is awarded for valor in action against an enemy
force; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant William Shemin was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, on
October 14, 1896; he graduated from the New York State Ranger School in
1914, and went to work as a forester in Bayonne; and
WHEREAS, After the United States entered World War I, William Shemin
enlisted in the United States Army on October 2, 1917; upon completion
of basic training at Camp Greene, North Carolina, he was assigned as a
rifleman to Company G, 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division,
American Expeditionary Forces, in France; and
WHEREAS, On August 7-9, 1918, William Shemin participated in the
Aisne-Marne Offensive, where he took shrapnel and was wounded by a
machine gun bullet which pierced his helmet and lodged behind his left
ear; he left the cover of his platoon's trench and crossed open spaces,
repeatedly exposing himself to heavy machine gun and rifle fire in an
effort to rescue his fellow soldiers who were wounded; and
WHEREAS, After officers and senior noncommissioned officers had become
casualties, William Shemin took command of the platoon and displayed
great initiative under fire until he was wounded August 9th; and
WHEREAS, Following his injuries, William Shemin was hospitalized for
three months and later received light duty as part of the Army occupa-
tion in Germany and Belgium until he completed his tour of duty; and
WHEREAS, For the injuries he sustained during combat, William Shemin
received the Purple Heart; he also was awarded the Distinguished Service
Cross for battlefield valor on December 29, 1919; and
WHEREAS, William Shemin was honorably discharged in August of 1919 and
received a degree from the New York State College of Forestry at Syra-
cuse University; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, he started a greenhouse and landscaping
business in Bronx, New York; and
WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over this great
Nation, 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 Sergeant William Shemin posthumously upon the occasion of receiv-
ing the prestigious Medal of Honor, and to pay tribute to him for his
courageous actions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Sergeant William Shemin.