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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established |
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to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state |
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or federal military forces, and it is fitting that U.S. Army veteran |
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Rickey Dudley Wittner be awarded this prestigious honor; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Houston, Rickey Wittner enlisted in the |
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U.S. Army in August 1969 and underwent helicopter training at Fort |
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Eustis, Virginia, before beginning his service in the Vietnam War |
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with the U.S. Army 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company, 269th |
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Aviation Battalion; and |
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WHEREAS, On July 10, 1970, Specialist Fourth Class Wittner |
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was serving as crew chief on a helicopter that was resupplying river |
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patrol boats near Dau Tieng, Vietnam; the aircraft was struck by |
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heavy enemy fire, and the subsequent crash and explosion seriously |
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injured all passengers on board, with Specialist Wittner being |
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thrown from the helicopter; without regard for his own safety, he |
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repeatedly entered the flaming wreckage to rescue those trapped |
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inside; demonstrating remarkable bravery, he sustained severe |
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burns on his hands while extinguishing flames on the clothing of |
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those he rescued, and his efforts ultimately helped save the lives |
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of 12 people; and |
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WHEREAS, In recognition of his actions that day, Specialist |
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Wittner was awarded the Soldier's Medal for heroism; he also |
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received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal; following the |
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completion of his active-duty army service in 1975 at the rank of |
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Specialist Fifth Class, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve, |
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transferring to the Texas Army National Guard headquarters company |
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in Marshall as a member of the 5th Battalion, 112th Armor; in 1987, |
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he was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant; and |
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WHEREAS, Rickey Wittner distinguished himself through his |
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acts of extraordinary courage, patriotism, and selflessness in the |
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Vietnam War, and it is indeed fitting that he be honored with the |
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highest military award conferred by the State of Texas; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby direct the governor of the State of Texas to award the Texas |
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Legislative Medal of Honor to U.S. Army veteran Rickey Dudley |
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Wittner in recognition of his valiant military service. |