Senate Resolution No. 1433

BY: Senator HINCHEY

COMMENDING Seaman First Class Gerard Thomas Miller
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 esteemed Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Seaman
First Class Gerard Thomas Miller 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, Gerard Thomas Miller was born to Stanton William and
Josephine Marie Miller in Hudson, New York, on October 9, 1927; he
attended St. Mary's Academy in Hudson after which he enlisted in the
United States Navy in Albany, New York, on July 3, 1945; upon the
completion of 10 weeks of boot training in Sampson, New York, he was
temporarily stationed in San Diego, California; and

WHEREAS, Assigned to the USS Heermann, a Fletcher-class destroyer
that was commissioned to a duty station in the Pacific Theater of
Operations, Seaman First Class Gerard T. Miller remained on board until
July 6, 1946, when the destroyer was decommissioned; he was assigned to
the USS Boyd, another Fletcher-class destroyer, until he was honorably
discharged on August 10, 1946, at Lido Beach, Long Island, New York; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Seaman
First Class Gerard T. Miller was awarded the American Theater Medal,
Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and a Letter
of Commendation; and

WHEREAS, Subsequent to returning home, Gerard T. Miller completed
his studies and graduated from Hudson High School; he was employed by
Bell Telephone Company, the New York State Police, and Columbia Memorial
Hospital in addition to substitute teaching; he also met and married
Cynthia Magyar; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, Gerard Thomas Miller served as
Commander of the local American Legion and was a member of the Greenport
Fire Department and the USS Heermann (DD 532) Association; he enjoyed
singing as a baritone in a local barbershop quartet called The Master
Blend which entered competitions and won several national honors; and

WHEREAS, Gerard Thomas Miller died on June 21, 2016, at the age of
89, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that to those who gave their lives for
their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing in action;
and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Seaman First Class Gerard Thomas Miller 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 Seaman First Class Gerard Thomas Miller 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 Seaman First Class Gerard Thomas Miller.