By: Sims S.R. No. 417 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas pauses in 1-3 its deliberations today to honor the memory of those brave 1-4 United States Marines who raised the flag of the United States 1-5 of America on Mount Suribachi during the battle at Iwo Jima 50 1-6 years ago on February 23, 1945, and to salute the survivors of 1-7 that horrendous conflict; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Under the leadership of First Lieutenant Keith Wells, 1-9 squad leader, his platoon planted the flag and accomplished a feat 1-10 that to entire generations of Americans has come to embody the 1-11 heroism of our fighting forces during World War II; and 1-12 WHEREAS, That platoon became the most decorated platoon 1-13 ever to emerge from a single engagement in the history of the 1-14 United States; the awards included a Congressional Medal of Honor, 1-15 three Navy Crosses, a Silver Star, and a Purple Heart for everyone 1-16 involved in the battle because many, including Major Wells, were 1-17 injured more than once; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The battle began on the 19th of February and lasted 1-19 until the 16th of March; the leadership of the 23-year-old first 1-20 lieutenant inspired his men to perform astonishing acts of courage; 1-21 and 1-22 WHEREAS, Of the original 45 men in Lieutenant Wells' platoon 1-23 that fought on Iwo Jima, 16 were killed and all but four were 2-1 wounded one or more times; the survivors represent a small veterans 2-2 group of truly intrepid stature; and 2-3 WHEREAS, After three days of fighting that had left more 2-4 than half of Lieutenant Wells' platoon either killed or injured, 2-5 several of his men struggled to the top of Mount Suribachi and 2-6 stuck a small American flag on the only pole available, a piece 2-7 of water pipe; and 2-8 WHEREAS, The sight of Old Glory flying over Japanese 2-9 territory initiated the most spontaneous and resounding din 2-10 of raw patriotism ever expressed by American servicemen; and 2-11 WHEREAS, These were men of exemplary valor and integrity 2-12 whose heroic actions brought honor to themselves, their families, 2-13 their communities, and their nation; and 2-14 WHEREAS, These exemplary soldiers answered their country's 2-15 call in her hour of need and willingly and courageously exposed 2-16 themselves to danger; and 2-17 WHEREAS, The people of Texas wish to express their profound 2-18 gratitude to these valiant men who willingly risked or gave their 2-19 lives for the nation they dearly loved; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-21 74th Legislature, hereby honor the memory of the 5,453 Marines 2-22 who fell at Iwo Jima and pay tribute to the surviving heroes today; 2-23 and, be it further 2-24 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-25 Major Keith Wells, United States Marine Corps, Retired, as a 3-1 memento of this anniversary. 3-2 ______________________________________ 3-3 President of the Senate 3-4 I hereby certify that the above 3-5 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-6 on March 9, 1995. 3-7 ______________________________________ 3-8 Secretary of the Senate 3-9 ______________________________________ 3-10 Member, Texas Senate