Senate Resolution No. 626

BY: Senator JORDAN

COMMENDING Walter H. Bethel 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 Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Walter H.
Bethel 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, to be presented at the Rensselaer County Honor a
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on Monday, April 8, 2019; 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, Walter Harry Bethel was born on November 12, 1924, in
Milford, Massachusetts, the son of Walter Daniel Bethel and Natalina
"Tillie" Donini Bethel; growing up in Cohoes and Lansingburgh, New York,
he attended Cohoes High School and worked for a short time running a
folding machine at Field and Hatch Knitting Company; and

WHEREAS, On December 11, 1941, Walter H. Bethel enlisted in the
United States Navy and proudly served his country as a Seaman 2nd Class
on the USS Ingraham (DD-444); and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Walter H.
Bethel was awarded the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle
Eastern Campaign Medal and the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, On the night of August 22, 1942, the USS Ingraham collided
with the USS Chemung (AO-30) in heavy fog off the coast of Nova Scotia;
the USS Ingraham sank almost immediately, and depth charges on her stern
exploded; and

WHEREAS, Walter H. Bethel was officially declared Killed in Action
(KIA) on August 23, 1943, at the age of 17; and

WHEREAS, A headstone has been placed in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga
National Cemetery in memory of Walter H. Bethel; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Walter H. Bethel 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 Walter H. Bethel 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 Walter H. Bethel.