H*3256 Resolution, By M.A. Pitts
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE GRATEFUL THANKS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE
 OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO MR. HAROLD EARL PEARSON, JR., OF LAURENS, FOR HIS SERVICE
 IN THE MERCHANT MARINE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM
 PUBLICLY AS AN AMERICAN HERO.

   01/14/09  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-12

TO EXPRESS THE GRATEFUL THANKS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO MR. HAROLD EARL PEARSON, JR., OF LAURENS, FOR HIS SERVICE IN THE MERCHANT MARINE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM PUBLICLY AS AN AMERICAN HERO.

Whereas, Harold Earl Pearson, Jr., of Laurens, born May 6, 1922, to H.E. and Doris Pearson, was graduated from Laurens High School and later pursued two years of further education at Clemson University; and

Whereas, as a young man, Mr. Pearson answered the call of his country to serve in the United States Naval Reserve Merchant Marine during World War II; and

Whereas, a true American hero, he fought in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean Theatres, in this last theatre participating in the invasion of France. At one point, although he was ordered to abandon ship, this courageous engineer remained onboard and saved the ship, thus preserving also the lives of all the crew members it supported. In addition, he was credited with assisting in the saving of two other ships; and

Whereas, following his military service, Mr. Pearson went into business for himself, becoming the owner of two hosiery mills and retiring from that endeavor after many successful years of production; and

Whereas, the husband of Jean Pearson, whom he married almost a decade ago after the passing of his first wife, Edith Nye Pearson, he is family patriarch to a son, two daughters, and several grandchildren; and

Whereas, his loyalty and devotion to his family, his friends, his work, and his country are admired by all who know him and have established him as a pillar of the Laurens community. On behalf of the citizens of the Palmetto State, the House of Representatives is pleased to honor this son of South Carolina, a man of integrity and courage, Harold Earl Pearson, Jr. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express the grateful thanks of the people of the State of South Carolina to Mr. Harold Earl Pearson, Jr., of Laurens, for his service in the Merchant Marine during the Second World War, and acknowledge him publicly as an American hero.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Pearson.