Senate Resolution No. 5415

BY: Senator LITTLE

COMMENDING Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. 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, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

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 peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Wilfred D.
MacGiffert, Jr. 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, to be presented at the Columbia
County Honor A Veteran Ceremony on May 21, 2018; 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, Wilfred Dinwitty MacGiffert, Jr. was born to Wilfred D. and
Aleta MacGiffert on May 17, 1925, in Hudson, New York, where he attended
both Stottville and Greenport Elementary Schools and Hudson High School;
and

WHEREAS, Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. entered the United States Navy
on August 16, 1945, at the end of his third year of high school; after
completing basic training at Camp Peary, Virginia, he was trained as a
motor machinist's mate in Gulfport, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Machinist Mate 3rd Class Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. was
assigned to the 133rd Navy Seabees, Company D, 5th Platoon in the
Pacific Theater of Operations; after amphibious landing and jungle
training in Hawaii, he was assigned to the 4th Marine Division; and

WHEREAS, The 133rd Navy Seabees landed with the 4th Marine Division
on day one of the battle for Iwo Jima; encountering all the hazards of
front line combat, they unloaded supplies, laid steel mats from the LSTs
on the soft black sand, and repaired and constructed the airstrips which
would be vital to the continued offensive on Japan; exhibiting the "CB
Can Do" spirit, the 133rd Navy Seabees incurred 246 casualties alongside
the Marines in the famous battle; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Machinist
Mate 3rd Class Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. was awarded the Asiatic
Pacific Campaign Medal w/star and arrowhead, the Victory Medal, and the
American Campaign Medal; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Wilfred D.
MacGiffert, Jr. returned to his hometown and opened MacGiffert Brothers
Garage with his brother Jack; he married his late wife Anne on May 16,
1948, and together, the couple raised two children; after Anne's death
in June of 1968, he married the former Constance Grabowski on July 14,
1973, in Hudson, New York; and

WHEREAS, During the 1950s, Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. owned and
raced stock cars; in 1990, he retired from the family business and went
to work for Thorpe's GMC in Tannersville, New York; and

WHEREAS, Wllfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. was a devoted and vital part of
his community; he was a life member of Greenport Fire Co. No. 1 and
Hudson Elks No. 787, and held the title of Director of Hudson Powerboat
Society, and Navy Seabee Veterans of America in Davie, Florida; and

WHEREAS, Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. died on August 3, 2017, in his
home in Hudson, at the age of 92; Wilfred is survived by his two sons,
Robert and Paul MacGiffert; three step-children, Joseph Barca, Maryann
Bopp and John Barca; four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren;
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 his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. 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 Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr. 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 Wilfred D. MacGiffert, Jr.