S*1590 Session 109 (1991-1992)
S*1590 Concurrent Resolution, By Peeler
A Concurrent Resolution recognizing and saluting the heroism of Chance C.
Melton, Jr., of Cherokee County while serving in the United States Navy during
the Second World War.
05/28/92 Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-8
06/02/92 House Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-1
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE HEROISM OF CHANCE C.
MELTON, JR., OF CHEROKEE COUNTY WHILE SERVING IN THE
UNITED STATES NAVY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
Whereas, Chance C. Melton, Jr., of Cherokee County served aboard the
USS Pittsburgh in the United States Navy during the Second World
War; and
Whereas, on March 19, 1945, the Carrier Franklin was fifty miles off the
coast of Japan; a few minutes after 7:00 A.M. aircraft were loaded with
bombs and fuel ready to make a strike against the Japanese mainland
when, suddenly, a Japanese bomber came out of the sky and dropped
two five-hundred-pound bombs on the flight deck of the Franklin,
causing a chain reaction of explosions; it is estimated that five hundred
tons of explosions occurred on the Franklin; and
Whereas, seven hundred twenty-five men were killed, two hundred were
wounded, and approximately one thousand were either forced or blown
overboard, leaving only seven hundred four men still aboard the
Franklin; and
Whereas, due to the highly courageous and heroic efforts of Chance
Melton and other crew members of the USS Pittsburgh and other ships
in the area many of those from the Franklin were rescued from the water;
and
Whereas, the Pittsburgh towed the Franklin for about three days to get
the carrier out of Japanese waters, and, miraculously, the Franklin stayed
afloat and made it all the way back to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a
distance of some thirteen thousand miles; and
Whereas, during the recovery operations of the USS Franklin, the crew
members of the Pittsburgh were under enemy air attacks during towing
operations, and this was the first time in naval history that a disabled
ship was towed out of enemy waters during war; and
Whereas, Mr. Melton has received the American Campaign Medal, the
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three Silver Stars, and the World
War II Victory Medal; and
Whereas, after his discharge from the Navy in 1945, Mr. Melton enlisted
in the United States Naval Reserve (inactive) on February 7, 1950, and
he was discharged from the Navy on February 6, 1954; and
Whereas, he was employed as plant manager with A.P. McCauley for a
number of years prior to going into business for himself; and
Whereas, he is married to the former Virginia Stowe and they have one
son, John Melton, and two grandchildren; and
Whereas, he is a member of a number of service, civic, and professional
organizations, is a dynamic and highly respected individual, and is
known with great affection and admiration as "Mr. Patriot";
and
Whereas, his acts of bravery and heroism following the attack on the
USS Franklin in 1945 merit genuine, if belated, recognition and honor.
Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this
resolution, recognizes and salutes the heroism of Chance C. Melton, Jr.,
of Cherokee County while serving in the United States Navy during the
Second World War.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr.
Melton.
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