HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established
1-2 by the 58th Texas Legislature to honor gallant and intrepid service
1-3 by a member of the State Military Forces of Texas, and through his
1-4 courageous actions during battle in World War II, Technical
1-5 Sergeant James Marion Logan has distinguished himself as a worthy
1-6 recipient of this prestigious honor; and
1-7 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Sergeant Logan enlisted in Company
1-8 I, Luling Guard, at the age of 17, and he remained with the unit
1-9 until it was mustered into federal service in November 1940; he was
1-10 serving as a rifleman in Company I, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th
1-11 Infantry Division (Texas National Guard) when his company landed on
1-12 the beach near Salerno, Italy, on September 9, 1943; and
1-13 WHEREAS, Sergeant Logan was the first soldier from his boat
1-14 to step ashore, and he and his colleagues had advanced only 800
1-15 yards before the enemy began a deadly counterattack from a
1-16 strategic position behind a rock wall; without regard for his own
1-17 safety, Sergeant Logan braved withering machine gun fire to dash
1-18 across 200 yards of exposed terrain, and on reaching the rock wall,
1-19 he crawled along its base until he reached the enemy machine gun;
1-20 and
1-21 WHEREAS, After shooting the two gunners, this courageous
1-22 soldier hurdled the wall, turned the machine gun on the Axis
1-23 forces, and opened fire with the remaining ammunition; he then
1-24 destroyed the machine gun and captured two enemy soldiers who were
2-1 attempting to escape; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Later that morning, Sergeant Logan again proved his
2-3 mettle by running through a gauntlet of gunfire to stop a sniper
2-4 attacking his company; his remarkable actions rallied his fellow
2-5 soldiers and helped to ensure the success of the beachhead at
2-6 Salerno; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Known as the "Hero of Salerno," Sergeant Logan was
2-8 awarded our nation's highest memorial, the Congressional Medal of
2-9 Honor, on July 5, 1944, and he also received the Presidential
2-10 Citation, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, and
2-11 many other citations as well; he continues to support his local
2-12 guard unit in community activities and recruiting, and his
2-13 dedication to his state and nation has been an inspiration to all
2-14 who are privileged to know him; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1963, the Texas Legislative
2-16 Medal of Honor has never been awarded to any individual; this award
2-17 is the highest commendation Texans can bestow on members of our
2-18 state military forces, and it is only appropriate that Technical
2-19 Sergeant James Marion Logan receive the inaugural Texas Legislative
2-20 Medal of Honor; now, therefore, be it
2-21 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-22 hereby confer the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Sergeant
2-23 James Marion Logan in recognition of his heroic service and express
2-24 to him deepest appreciation in behalf of all his fellow Texans;
2-25 and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this
2-26 resolution be prepared for Sergeant Logan as an expression of
2-27 highest regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
Merritt
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 238 was adopted by the House on May
16, 1997, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 238 was adopted by the Senate on
May 16, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor