Senate Resolution No. 5930

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

COMMENDING Ernest Clifford Bower 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, 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 honor Ernest
Clifford Bower 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, Ernest Clifford Bower was born in Hudson, New York, on
February 27, 1929, to Leo and Vera (Baldwin) Bower; he attended
Livingston grammar school and Germantown Central School, Class of 1946,
before earning a degree in Business Administration in 1956, from Albany
Business College; and

WHEREAS, Ernest Clifford Bower was working for the Mohawk Novelty
Company in Hudson when he was drafted into the United States Army on
November 1, 1950; he received basic training at Fort Eustis, Virginia,
qualifying with the M-1 rifle and carbine; and

WHEREAS, PFC Ernest Clifford Bower was assigned to Company D, 120th
Engineers Combat Battalion located in Inchon, Korea; upon completing his
term of enlistment, he returned to the United States and was honorably
discharged on November 1, 1952; and

WHEREAS, PFC Ernest Clifford Bower was awarded the Korean Service
Medal w/ bronze service star and the United Nations Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Later, on February 25, 1957, Ernest Clifford Bower enlisted
in the United States Army in Albany, New York; after basic training, he
received additional training at Fort Lee, Virginia, at the Quartermaster
School earning the rank of Specialist 4; he was next assigned to
Headquarters and Headquarters Company at the Army Garrison at Fort
Campbell, Kentucky, as a Quartermaster Supply Specialist; and

WHEREAS, In April of 1958, Specialist 4 Ernest Clifford Bower was
assigned to the Pacific on the Island of Eniwetok with a secret
clearance; from April through August of 1958, 22 near-surface nuclear

denotations were conducted on Eniwetok; records indicate that he was
exposed to radiation on the Island of Eniwetok and, after October of
that year, a nuclear test moratorium was enacted; and

WHEREAS, Upon completion of his military obligation, Specialist 4
Earnest Clifford Bower was honorably discharged a second time on
February 24, 1960, and returned to his home in Columbia County; and

WHEREAS, In the years that followed, Ernest Clifford Bower worked at
a funeral home and for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
in Albany for more than 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Ernest Clifford Bower of Linlithgo, New York, passed away
at the age of 65 on November 30, 1994, and is buried in Cedar Park
Cemetery in Hudson; he is survived by his two sisters, Ruth Bower and
Dorothy Bower; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of such high standards,
certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ernest Clifford Bower 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 Ernest Clifford Bower.