Senate Resolution No. 890

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING Herbert C. Thorpe upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by the Lake
Delta Kiwanis on May 17, 2023

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, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have
served in times of peace; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Herbert C.
Thorpe upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by
the Lake Delta Kiwanis on May 17, 2023; and

WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices of our military personnel
ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and is a defender of liberty for peoples throughout the
world; and

WHEREAS, Herbert C. Thorpe was born in New York City and raised in
Brooklyn, New York; he attended Brooklyn Public Schools and graduated
from high school in 1940; he enrolled in the U.S. Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) and served in camps at Van Etten, New York, Camden, New
York, and Beltsville, Maryland from 1940 to 1942; and

WHEREAS, Herbert C. Thorpe enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and
attended U.S. Signal Corps School in Troy, New York until the Spring of
1943; he began his active-duty service at military basic training in
June of 1943 at Ft. Dix, New Jersey and Kcams Field, Utah; and

WHEREAS, While in Utah, he applied and was accepted for Aviation
Cadet School in December of 1943; in 1944, he was sent to Keesler Field
in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he completed altitude testing; and

WHEREAS, In January 1944, he transferred to Aviation Cadet School at
Tuskegee Institute, Alabama; after completing Primary Flight School at
the Institute, he was transferred to Basic Training Flight School at
Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) and was selected with others for
Multi-Engine training; and

WHEREAS, In mid-1944, he was transferred to Gunnery School at
Tyndall Field, Florida, then to Bombardier/Navigator School at Midland
Army Air Field in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Navigator/Bombardier on
December 30, 1944, in Midland, Texas, 2nd Lt. Thorpe returned to
Tuskegee and began Advanced Flight Training school and qualified as a
B-25 (twin-engine) Pilot at TAAF in October of 1945; he remained at TAAF
and left the service in August of 1946; and

WHEREAS, After his involvement with the military, Herbert C. Thorpe
attended New York University and graduated as an Electrical Engineer; he
spent time working as a Radar Systems Engineer at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
and as a Radar Research Engineer in Beacon Systems at Rome Air
Development Center Griffiss AFB; he additionally served as a part time
counselor at Mohawk Valley Community College for thirteen years; and

WHEREAS, Herbert C. Thorpe's community involvement includes service
as a 50-year Member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rome, New York;
Charter Member, Secretary & Past President of the Rome Branch NAACP;
Charter Member & Secretary of the Former Prince Hall Military Lodge No.
112; Charter Member and Secretary of the Afro-American Heritage
Association in Rome, New York; Charter Member, Past President, and
Secretary of the Mohawk Valley Frontiers Club; Past Member and Advisory
Board of the Oneida County Office for the Aging; and a Member of the
Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (TAI), Claude B. Govan Tri-State Chapter of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Herbert C. Thorpe was presented with the honorable 1st New
York State Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2012 and in
2013; he also received the esteemed Rome Historical Society 1777 Medal
of Honor Award; and

WHEREAS, His wife, children, numerous grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren, all feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his plentiful achievements; 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 owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these men and women demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore, the highest respect of their 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 Herbert C. Thorpe upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Lake Delta Kiwanis on May 17, 2023; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Herbert C. Thorpe.