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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The valiant service of the USS Henry A. Wiley (DM 29) |
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is being commemorated with a plaque at the National Museum of the |
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Pacific War on March 17, 2007, and a number of the courageous |
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sailors who served as its crew are gathering for this memorable |
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occasion; and |
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WHEREAS, Commissioned in 1944, the USS Henry A. Wiley began |
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its illustrious history escorting the USS Texas, USS Missouri, and |
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USS Arkansas on the long journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific |
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Ocean via the Panama Canal; in February 1945, the ship was called |
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into battle for the invasion of Iwo Jima; situated only 400 yards |
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off shore, it fired more than 3,600 rounds and destroyed nine |
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pillboxes in support of marine infantry, including the unit that |
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raised the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi; and |
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WHEREAS, The ship subsequently proceeded to Okinawa, where it |
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supported minesweeping operations and helped secure Kerama Retto |
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before the U.S. invasion; it then performed radar picket, |
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patrolling, screening, bombardment, and mine removal duties for |
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nearly five months, destroying numerous Japanese aircraft; on May |
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4, 1945, while going to the aid of the sinking USS Luce DD-522, the |
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Henry A. Wiley came under heavy air attack, and during a furious |
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15-minute engagement, it downed three kamikazes and two Baka bombs, |
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before playing a significant vote in rescuing survivors of the |
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Luce; and |
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WHEREAS, Before returning home on January 17, 1946, the USS |
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Henry A. Wiley participated in further minesweeping and mine |
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destruction operations in the East China Sea and off the coasts of |
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Japan, Korea, and Taiwan; and |
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WHEREAS, The USS Henry A. Wiley earned four battle stars for |
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its participation in the Pacific War, and it was awarded the |
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Presidential Unit Citation for heroic service during the battle of |
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Okinawa; in addition, Captain Paul H. Bjarnason, commanding officer |
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of the Henry A. Wiley at Okinawa, was awarded the Navy Cross and the |
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Legion of Merit; the ship was decommissioned in 1947; and |
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WHEREAS, The USS Henry A. Wiley (DM 29) distinguished itself |
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with might, precision, and tenacity during crucial campaigns of the |
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Pacific War, emerging with minimal damage and no loss of life, and |
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it is indeed fitting to honor this remarkable ship and its brave |
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crew for their exemplary service in behalf of their fellow |
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Americans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 17, 2007, as Henry A. Wiley Day |
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and salute the ship's crew members for their gallantry during World |
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War II. |
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Howard of Travis |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 656 was adopted by the House on March |
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7, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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