H*5303 Concurrent Resolution, By Lourie, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, 
Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, 
R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, 
Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, 
Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, 
Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, 
Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, 
Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, 
Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, 
Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, 
Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, 
Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, 
W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, 
Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, 
Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF SERGEANT GARY
 EVANS FOSTER WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS VALOR, WHICH IS THE
 HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
 UNITED STATES.

   05/19/04  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-25
   05/19/04  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-24

TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF SERGEANT GARY EVANS FOSTER WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS VALOR, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Whereas, throughout our nation's history, men and women in all eras from Concord and Lexington to Falleujah have gone in harm's way to protect and secure our country's freedom and way of life; and

Whereas, to recognize extraordinary heroism the Congress of the United States established the Medal of Honor which represents the highest award for valor in combat that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States; and

Whereas, there have been more than three thousand four hundred recipients but fewer than one hundred forty remain with us today; and

Whereas, most recipients of the medal are ordinary Americans from ordinary backgrounds who, under extraordinary circumstances and at great risk to their own lives, performed an incredible act or a series of acts of conspicuous valor that clearly sets them apart from their comrades; and

Whereas, thirty-seven citizens with South Carolina roots have received the Medal of Honor since its inception; and

Whereas, Sergeant Gary Evans Foster, a Spartanburg native, is one of these South Carolinians; and

Whereas, Sergeant Foster, served in Company F, 118th Infantry, 30th Division of the United States Army, and in action near Montbrehain, France, on 8 October 1918, when his company was held up by heavy machinegun fire from a sunken road, he, together with an officer went forward to attack the hostile machinegun nests. The officer was wounded, but Sergeant Foster continued on alone in the face of the heavy fire and by effective use of hand grenades and his pistol, killed several of the enemy and captured eighteen; and

Whereas, his supreme valor and intrepidity provide a lasting example of the finest traditions of the United States Army; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to publicly recognize and honor the memory of this brave and courageous son of South Carolina for his extraordinary heroism in the defense of our country and her ideals which epitomizes the very best of what America stands for. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly commend the extraordinary heroism of Sergeant Gary Evans Foster who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor, which is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States.