HJ0032 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0032 LRB102 18009 MST 24821 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have served our country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation; and

WHEREAS, SP4 William Eugene Campbell was born to Ida Marie and Kenneth Campbell on October 24, 1948; he was one of eight children along with his brother, Bob Campbell, and his six sisters, Sandy Painter, Betty Evans, Judy Buchanan, Joyce Borchers, Janet Barker, and Jeanne Taylor; and

WHEREAS, SP4 Campbell graduated in June of 1968 from Gibson City High School at a trying time for many young men due to the heavy involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, Like many others facing the draft, SP4 Campbell was called to serve in the U.S. Army on August 12, 1968; and

WHEREAS, Just under a year into his service on August 2, 1969, SP4 Campbell was killed in action, the first and only casualty from Gibson City; and

WHEREAS, SP4 Campbell received several recognitions for his actions in Vietnam, including the Silver Star, which was presented to his mother Ida, for the time he "distinguished himself as a leader in Company B, First Airborne Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, USARV, during a search and clear operation near the city of Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam"; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his Silver Star, SP4 Campbell received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and the Combat Infantryman Badge; and

WHEREAS, SP4 Campbell's heroism and willingness to sacrifice his own well-being was an inspiration to his entire platoon; his bravery and devotion to duty and his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service; and

WHEREAS, SP4 Campbell's actions reflect positively on himself, his family, his unit, and the U.S. Army; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 47 as it travels through Gibson City as the "Vietnam Veteran SP4 William Eugene Campbell Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect, at suitable locations consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name of the "SP4 William Eugene Campbell Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of SP4 Campbell, the Mayor of Gibson City, and the Secretary of Transportation.