H*4796 Session 112 (1997-1998)
H*4796 Concurrent Resolution, By J.L.M. Cromer
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR THE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND LEGACY OF THE LATE MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE MABRY, ONE OF
SOUTH CAROLINA'S MOST OUTSTANDING CITIZENS AND AN AUTHENTIC AMERICAN HERO.
03/12/98 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-10
03/18/98 Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-7
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR THE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND LEGACY OF THE LATE MAJOR
GENERAL GEORGE MABRY, ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S
MOST OUTSTANDING CITIZENS AND AN AUTHENTIC
AMERICAN HERO.
Whereas, George Mabry was born on September 14, 1917, in
Stateburg; he grew up in rural Sumter County and earned an athletic
scholarship to Presbyterian College; and
Whereas, while a college student, he became a member of the
Reserve Officers Training Corps and, after graduation, joined the
United States Army in 1940 as a reserve second lieutenant; he was
assigned to the newly reactivated Fourth Infantry Division at Ft.
Benning, Georgia; he trained in the United States and England and
landed with the second wave on Utah Beach in Normandy, France on
D-Day, June 6, 1944, during World War II; because of his personal
actions in combat, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross,
the second highest medal the United States awards for combat valor;
and
Whereas, he fought through France, Luxembourg, and Belgium and
into Germany; he received two battlefield promotions, rising from
captain to lieutenant colonel in just six months, and, by the time the
war ended, he was a battalion commander; and
Whereas, he was also awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor
with Oakleaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Service
Order (Britain's second highest medal and that kingdom's highest
medal that can be awarded to a nonsubject); for heroism above and
beyond the call of duty he was awarded the United States' highest
award, the Congressional Medal of Honor, by President Truman in
August, 1945; and
Whereas, he was personally involved in the liberation of Paris, the
Battle of the Bulge, and the breaching of the Siegfried line; he
received every medal the United States can award for heroism;
President Bush, during his term of office, called George Mabry the
United States' second most decorated soldier; and
Whereas, George Mabry served for thirty-five years in the United
States Army, including two tours in Vietnam; in 1975, he retired as
major general; and
Whereas, two recent national bestsellers mention General Mabry
most favorably; the first is a biography of H. Norman Schwarzkoph;
General Schwarzkoph, who was then a lieutenant colonel, worked for
General Mabry while stationed in Vietnam; the second book is the
recent bestseller on the Battle of D-Day, Citizen Soldiers by
Stephen E. Ambrose; it mentions General Mabry's courageous
actions at Utah Beach in Normandy and the fact that he was one of
the Fourth Division's best officers; and
Whereas, the United States Army has named its National
Non-Commissioned Officers Academy at Ft. Jackson "Mabry
Hall" in honor of this great South Carolinian and an authentic
American hero; and
Whereas, although George Mabry died July 13, 1990, his legacy is
eternal; he is, and will forever remain, one of South Carolina's most
distinguished citizens; he was devoted to God and country and served
our great nation magnificently; all South Carolinians, as well as all
American citizens, owe George Mabry a debt of gratitude for his
valor, his heroism, his devotion to duty, and his splendid example of
service. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate
concurring:
That the General Assembly recognizes and expresses gratitude for the
accomplishments and legacy of the late Major General George
Mabry, one of South Carolina's most outstanding citizens and an
authentic American hero.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
General Mabry's family.
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