Senate Resolution No. 3287

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Ambrose "Cowboy" Anderson upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Ambrose
"Cowboy" Anderson upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Cowboy Anderson of Gloversville, became one of the first
African American members of the United States Marine Corps where he
served with honor and valor during World War II and was discharged as a
corporal; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Anderson, who was a star football player at
Gloversville High School, will be 95 years-old in August of this year;
he served in the 8th Ammunition Company and saw combat in the Battle of
Iwo Jima in 1945; and

WHEREAS, He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1943, and was
assigned to the segregated Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North
Carolina, where approximately 20,000 African American Marines served
from 1942 to 1949, enduring incredible prejudice and racism; and

WHEREAS, While on a battleship sailing to Iwo Jima, Cowboy
Anderson's ship was attacked by Japanese kamikaze pilots; he crawled
into a hole and started feeding a gunner machine gun ammunition; the
next day, he looked out and saw bodies of Marines floating in the sea
and entwined with driftwood on the beach; and

WHEREAS, On Iwo Jima, Cowboy Anderson hauled ammunition and supplies
for incoming ships to the shore and delivered them to white infantry
units on the front lines, often amid rounds flying about their heads;
and

WHEREAS, After Iwo Jima, Corporal Anderson served in the occupation
of Japan at Sasebo; sadly, he never received recognition after World War
II and had difficulty finding work; and

WHEREAS, Eventually, he went to work in his brother's junkyard;
ultimately, he worked as a truck mechanic, retiring from Ryder in 1986;
and


WHEREAS, Fortunately, in recent years America has begun to recognize
and express its heartfelt gratitude to the service and sacrifice of
Corporal Anderson and his colleagues as the Montford Point Marines were
awarded the Congressional Gold Medal; he was also inducted into the New
York State Veterans Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Cowboy Anderson has six children, including four with his
second wife, Betty, who he was with for 47 years until her passing in
2004; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Cowboy Anderson demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ambrose "Cowboy" Anderson upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ambrose "Cowboy" Anderson.