2018 -- H 7128

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LC003558

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC) BY THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND

HONORING THE TWENTY-SIX RHODE ISLANDERS WHO RECEIVED THE

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS DURING WORLD WAR I

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Hull, Lancia, Casimiro, and Morin

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military award

that can be given to a member of the United States Army; and

     WHEREAS, General Pershing, the Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary

Forces in France during World War I, desired the authorization and creation of a military medal

other than the Medal of Honor to recognize and honor the valorous service of United States Army

Personnel; and

     WHEREAS, The request for the establishment of the Distinguished Service Cross was

forwarded from the Secretary of War to President Wilson in a letter dated December 28, 1917.

President Wilson shortly thereafter established the Distinguished Service Cross on January 2,

1918. The War Department later promulgated its establishment with General Order No. 6, on

January 12, 1918, and the United States Congress passed an Act establishing it on July 9, 1918;

and

     WHEREAS, Twenty- Six Rhode Islanders were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross

for their valorous service to our nation during World War I. They were: Sgt. John W. Norton

from Central Falls, Cpl. Russell K. Bourne and Sgt. John T. Preston, Jr., from Lincoln, 2nd Lt.

Horace L. Borden, 2nd Lt. Scott M. Johnston, Sgt. James B. Lawless and Capt. Stephen H. Noyes

from Newport, Capt. Dwight T. Colley from Barrington, Pvt. Andrew W. Capwell, Cpl. John

Connors, 2ND Lt. Rowland S. Dodge, and Pfc. Earl R. Siner from Pawtucket, Sgt. Joshua K.

Broadhead, 1st Sgt. Edward Donnelly, Pvt. George R. Fratus, Cpl. James A. Greene, Pvt. Thomas

J. Hickey, Sgt. Herald A. Johnson, Capt. Normand D. Macleod, 1st Lt. John I. Rancourt, and Pvt.

John H. Zimmer, all of Providence, 1st LT. Charles Raymond Blake, Cpl. Josiah Broadgfoot, and

Lt. Richard O'Brien Shea, all of Westerly, and 1st Sgt. David M. Nadeau of Woonsocket; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the creation of the United

States Army's Distinguished Service Cross. We furthermore honor the twenty-six Rhode

Islanders who were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during World War I, and thank all

recipients for their valorous service to our nation; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rhode Island Adjutant General, Major General

Christopher Callahan.

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LC003558

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