HJ0012 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0012 LRB103 30167 MST 56594 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to veterans who have served their country and the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Ralph E. Snell was a member of the 136th Infantry, 33rd Division of the U.S. Army; he entered into service on April 22, 1942, and he was stationed at various camps in the United States until he went overseas on July 5, 1943; he served in the New Guinea and Philippine campaigns and returned to the United States on November 4, 1945; he was honorably discharged at Camp Grant on November 24, 1945; and

WHEREAS, On May 6, 1945, the 136th Infantry was met by heavy mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire from the flanks and from caves on the reverse slope; as it reached the crest of the hill, a machine gun on the right flank opened fire and wounded four men; PFC Snell moved forward alone and destroyed the weapon and its crew; he then directed his fellow soldiers in destroying three Japanese strong points; although wounded himself, he led his fellow soldiers forward, secured the enemy positions, captured the hill, and only then allowed himself to be evacuated; and

WHEREAS, On June 9, 1946, PFC Snell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the army's second highest award for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty; along with the cross, he received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Battle Star, and the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, PFC Snell displayed inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit, and heroic effort despite his wounds; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the Utica River Bridge as the "Ralph E. Snell Memorial Bridge"; 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 "Ralph E. Snell Memorial Bridge"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of PFC Snell and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.