South Carolina General Assembly
119th Session, 2011-2012

Download This Version in Microsoft Word format

Bill 3635


Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR EDWARD QUILTY OF GREENVILLE, WORLD WAR II VETERAN, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RECEIVING THE NATIONAL ORDER OF THE LEGION OF HONOR, FRANCE'S HIGHEST AWARD, FOR HIS COURAGEOUS SERVICE TO FRANCE DURING WORLD WAR II.

Whereas, the House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Edward Quilty of Greenville, World War II veteran, has received the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France's highest award, for his courageous service to France during World War II; and

Whereas, in order to express France's eternal gratitude for those who liberated it from oppression from 1944 to 1945, the consul general of France in Atlanta, Pascal Le Deunff, bestowed the Legion of Honor medal upon Mr. Quilty, as well as upon two other American World War II veterans from across the Southeast region, in a ceremony held on September 1, 2010, at the Warner Robins Museum of Aviation in Georgia; and

Whereas, founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest honor granted by France. It recognizes eminent services to the French Republic, and recipients of this honor are designated by the President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy; and

Whereas, Edward Quilty, commander in the Cruiser Division 7 of the United States Navy during World War II, received the award in recognition of his courage in helping to liberate France from Nazi rule in 1944. Among his many heroic deeds, he participated in the Normandy landings, which were decisive in the liberation of France; and

Whereas, a native New Yorker and adopted South Carolinian, Edward Quilty served aboard the USS Tuscaloosa, the heavy cruiser that was his home for most of his time in the Navy; and

Whereas, in June 1944, his ship took part in the Normandy invasions, and in August it steamed to the Mediterranean to battle German aircraft in the fight for southern France. Mr. Quilty was manning a five-inch gun when German fighter planes made their third low-flying charge of the day, firing at the Tuscaloosa's deck. Though hit in the back by flying shrapnel, he kept firing. By then, his was the only gun still functioning, and he was one of three men still standing, all of them hit; and

Whereas, after completion of his World War II service, he began a career that included thirty-eight years with AT&T and twelve years as a professor at Coker College in Hartsville, during which time he was twice named a master professor. Now retired, the eighty-seven-year-old veteran enjoys having more time to devote to his wife, Rose Marie, and to travel; and

Whereas, grateful for his heroic service as a United States serviceman during the Second World War, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in joining the many voices offering well-deserved tribute to Edward Quilty on his receiving this latest accolade, the Legion of Honor, France's highest award. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Edward Quilty of Greenville, World War II veteran, upon the occasion of his receiving the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France's highest award, for his courageous service to France during World War II.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Edward Quilty.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on February 9, 2011 at 10:49 AM