House concurrent resolution

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established by the 58th Texas Legislature to honor gallant and intrepid service by a member of the State Military Forces of Texas, and through his courageous actions during battle in World War II, Technical Sergeant James Marion Logan has distinguished himself as a worthy recipient of this prestigious honor; and

WHEREAS, A native Texan, Sergeant Logan enlisted in Company I, Luling Guard, at the age of 17, and he remained with the unit until it was mustered into federal service in November 1940; he was serving as a rifleman in Company I, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division (Texas National Guard) when his company landed on the beach near Salerno, Italy, on September 9, 1943; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Logan was the first soldier from his boat to step ashore, and he and his colleagues had advanced only 800 yards before the enemy began a deadly counterattack from a strategic position behind a rock wall; without regard for his own safety, Sergeant Logan braved withering machine gun fire to dash across 200 yards of exposed terrain, and on reaching the rock wall, he crawled along its base until he reached the enemy machine gun; and

WHEREAS, After shooting the two gunners, this courageous soldier hurdled the wall, turned the machine gun on the Axis forces, and opened fire with the remaining ammunition; he then destroyed the machine gun and captured two enemy soldiers who were attempting to escape; and

WHEREAS, Later that morning, Sergeant Logan again proved his mettle by running through a gauntlet of gunfire to stop a sniper attacking his company; his remarkable actions rallied his fellow soldiers and helped to ensure the success of the beachhead at Salerno; and

WHEREAS, Known as the "Hero of Salerno," Sergeant Logan was awarded our nation's highest memorial, the Congressional Medal of Honor, on July 5, 1944, and he also received the Presidential Citation, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, and many other citations as well; he continues to support his local guard unit in community activities and recruiting, and his dedication to his state and nation has been an inspiration to all who are privileged to know him; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1963, the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor has never been awarded to any individual; this award is the highest commendation Texans can bestow on members of our state military forces, and it is only appropriate that Technical Sergeant James Marion Logan receive the inaugural Texas Legislative Medal of Honor; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby confer the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Sergeant James Marion Logan in recognition of his heroic service and express to him deepest appreciation in behalf of all his fellow Texans; and, be it further