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TO CONGRATULATE JOHN "JACK" ACHENBACH OF BERKELEY COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is delighted to learn that Jack Achenbach of Berkeley County will celebrate his ninetieth birthday on April 11, 2013; and
Whereas, born on April 11, 1923, to John and Dorothy Achenbach of Jamaica, New York, he was the youngest of three children. The young Jack came into this world when the twentieth century was still in its youth, and he has been witness to nearly all the incredible changes and developments that have come to this nation from that time into the twenty-first century; and
Whereas, having enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1942, Jack soon was assigned duty as an aircraft machinist mate (AMM3) at an aircraft training squadron working with the USS Reina Mercedes. In the Pacific Theater during World War II, he used his skills on the aircraft carriers USS Intrepid (on which he endured two kamikaze attacks) and USS Lexington. Jack was serving on the Lexington when it pulled into Tokyo Bay for the historic signing of the armistice ending the war; and
Whereas, at war's end, Jack returned with the Lexington to the United States, reenlisted in October 1947, and, assigned to Chincoteague, Virginia, worked there in an experimental aircraft and unmanned flight squadron; and
Whereas, during a weekend visit to a former shipmate's home in Pennsylvania, he met the love of his life, Rita George, and they were married in May 1949; and
Whereas, Jack's military career eventually took him into the Korean Conflict, during which he suffered a leg injury that left him permanently disabled. However, he did not let this challenge get in the way of a successful life: He retired from the military and commenced a civil service job at the Naval Air Rework Facility in Jacksonville, Florida, from which he retired in 1975; and
Whereas, while in the military, Jack Achenbach received numerous honors, including the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 Star, Navy Good Conduct Medal, China Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 9 Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 Stars, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Korea Service Medal; and
Whereas, Jack, a devoted family man, delights in his two daughters, Rita Achenbach Brooks of Goose Creek and Jacqueline Ann Schoolcraft of Jacksonville, Florida, and one grandchild, Heather Brooks Platzer of Daniel Island; and
Whereas, this lifelong Catholic attends Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Goose Creek and loves the outdoors and traveling. Until recently, he and his beloved Rita (who passed away in 2009) spent most months of the year traveling the United States. Jack, an avid reader on current events, also enjoys United States history and historical fiction; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives is pleased to honor Jack Achenbach at the celebration of his ninetieth birthday and joins with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate John "Jack" Achenbach of Berkeley County on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Jack Achenbach.
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