Senate Resolution No. 1424

BY: Senator HINCHEY

COMMENDING John Howard Crosby, Sr., posthumously
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 John
Howard Crosby, Sr., posthumously 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, John Howard Crosby was born to Frederick and Barbara
(Thomas) Crosby in Canaan, New York, on September 19, 1921; he attended
Canaan Elementary School and Chatham High School, where he graduated in
1939; subsequently, he attended several technical schools; and

WHEREAS, In Albany, New York, on April 6, 1942, John Howard Crosby
entered the United States Navy and commenced six weeks of basic training
at the Naval Training Center in Newport, Rhode Island, as an Apprentice
Seaman; an additional 16 weeks of training at the Great Lakes Training
Center in Chicago, Illinois, afforded him the rank of Machinist's Mate
1st Class; and

WHEREAS, MM 1/C John H. Crosby was assigned to the attack transport
USS Newberry, participating in the campaigns of Iwo Jima and Formosa; he
was honorably discharged as Chief Machinist on January 19, 1946, at Lido
Beach, Long Island, New York; and

WHEREAS, For his dedicated service to his country and fellow
citizens, Chief Machinist John H. Crosby obtained the following awards:
American Theater Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal
(with two bronze stars), American Defense Service Medal (with one bronze
star), and the Navy Good Conduct Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return home, Chief Machinist John H. Crosby met
Kathryn Bailey; the couple were married on October 7, 1950; together,
they were blessed with three children, Nancy Ellen, John, Jr., and Tammy
Jean; and

WHEREAS, John Howard Crosby, Sr., performed his duties as Senior
Forestry Technician for the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation for Saratoga Springs and Catskill, retiring in 1980; later,
he worked for the Chatham Village Police Department, starting as a

patrol officer and concluding his service as Chief; additionally, he was
employed by the Town of Canaan Highway Department; and

WHEREAS, Remaining active in his community, John Howard Crosby, Sr.,
was Past Chief of the Canaan Fire Company, a member and former Post
Commander of V.F.W. Post 8266, and the first President of the Canaan
Democratic Club; and

WHEREAS, John Howard Crosby, Sr., died on March 27, 2009, at the age
of 87; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
John Howard Crosby, Sr., has 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 John Howard Crosby, Sr., posthumously 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 the family of John Howard Crosby, Sr.