HomeMy WebLinkAboutHonoring Thomas Willie Jones Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America for his acts of Heroism RESOLUTION
4227-13
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
January 14, 13
20
Attest: cfkA 4SW City Clerk
Attest President •of Common Council
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
January 15, 201'3
City Clerk
Approved and signed by me .'�l�l�ti}d2�l I 5 20 l 3
Mayor
RESOLUTION NO. 4 2 7 7-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA,HONORING THOMAS "WILLIE"JONES,A MEMBER OF THE
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA FOR HIS ACTS OF HEROISM
Offemerei the South Bend Common Council notes that on August 7, 1942, Congress
established the "Navy and Marine Corps Medal"which is the senior peacetime award for heroism; and
Wereeett the "Navy and Marine Corps Medal" is awarded to a person who has "distinguished
oneself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy for acts of lifesaving, or attempted
lifesaving...at the risk of one's own life"; and
OZexe the "Navy and Marine Corps Medal" was first bestowed during World War II, with
one of the first recipients awarded the medal being John F. Kennedy who was the Commanding
Officer of the Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 for his valiant rescue of fellow officers; and
Werea4 the Common Council notes that Thomas "Willie" Jones, a graduate of Washington
High School in South Bend, entered the service at the age of 18; was assigned Service# 591-76-89 and
served on the U.S.S. Greenwhich Bay as a member of a Navy-Marine Reconnaissance Unit; and
�� ere Thomas "Willie" Jones, who achieved the rank of SM3 was a member of the ship's
rear starboard 20 mm gun crew. He was the first crew member to discover and locate a 20 mm shell
which had been accidently dislodged. Thomas "Willie" Jones, along with Seaman Innocent Harshaw,
successfully lobbed the shell overboard saving the crew from a catastrophic explosion.
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Section I. On behalf of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council is
pleased to publicly commend & congratulate another special person from South Bend for recently
being awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, namely Thomas "Willie" Jones who is being
recognized for his non-combat acts of heroism during his military service during the Vietnam War.
Section II. The Common Council thanks Thomas "Willie" Jones for his service to our
country and his service to our community; and wishes him and his many family members and friends
the very best, as he continues to enrich South Bend and those around him.
Section III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the
Council and ap'roval by the Mayor.
'a1►N
Tim v!,-, ct aver . Davis, '.
istrict
.
MON •
Henry Davis, r., 2 ' District : -rek D. diet- At Lar_e
hey, 3r' District Gavin -rlic, At Large
Dr. 'red lic h i ct aren L. White,At Large
Dr. David Varner, 5th District Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Attorney \