Senate Resolution No. 1661

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING Corporal Robert F. Keenan 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 peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Corporal
Robert F. Keenan 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; he was nominated for this prestigious award by the
Reverend Francis A. Kelley Society which diligently works to honor and
care for our local everyday heroes and educate the community about their
valorous and sacrificial acts both on and off the battlefield; 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, Prior to graduation from Lansingburgh High School, Robert
F. Keenan enlisted in the United States Army on March 11, 1943, and
proudly served his country as a member of Company A, Fourth Infantry
Division during World War II in the European Theater of Operations from
1943-1945; and

WHEREAS, On June 14, 1944, Corporal Robert F. Keenan and his
Division landed on the beach in Normandy, and after being involved in
fierce combat with the Germans for the next two months, Corporal Keenan
and many of his fellow soldiers were captured by German forces outside
of Paris on July 29, 1944; and

WHEREAS, The soldiers were assigned to forced labor at Stalag 7A
Camp near Moosburg, Germany, where they were subjected to daily
beatings, starvation and were caged in box cars on railroad sidings
which were bombed nightly by the Allies; Corporal Robert F. Keenan
endured captivity for 301 days until he and his fellow Prisoners of War
were liberated by the 45th Division; unfortunately, Corporal Keenan
suffered from PTSD for the rest of his life; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Corporal
Robert F. Keenan was awarded the Bronze Star, POW Medal, American
Theatre Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Medal with three
battle stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Distinguished Unit Badge,
Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory
Medal, New York State Conspicuous Service Star, New York State Medal for
Merit and the Green Island Veterans Commemoration Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon his release, Corporal Robert F. Keenan returned to
Rensselaer County and settled in Green Island, New York, where he began

his long and distinguished career as a mason/bricklayer and raised his
three sons; this meritorious soldier passed away on November 3, 1989,
after a battle with cancer; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Corporal Robert F. Keenan 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 Corporal Robert F. Keenan 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 Corporal Robert F. Keenan.