ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 24
BY REPRESENTATIVE DEVILLIER
A RESOLUTION
To commend Pearl Harbor survivor Joe Richard for his service in the U.S. Navy.
WHEREAS, Joseph William Richard was born in Church Point, Louisiana, to Pierre
and Ada Venable Richard; at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Navy and
served from 1941 until 1954; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Richard served at Pearl Harbor, Okinawa, and the Pacific Theatre;
on December 7, 1941, he was assigned as a shipfitter on the USS Rigel, which was docked
at Pearl Harbor for repairs and had no guns or ammunition on board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Richard had just finished breakfast on the morning of December 7,
1941, when he recognized the red sun emblem on the sides of low-flying planes heading
towards Pearl Harbor; and
WHEREAS, directly after the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Richard participated in
the rescue of American sailors who were trapped on the USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma;
he helped cut thirty-three sailors out of the USS Arizona and, later, helped rescue another
three sailors from the nearby USS Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, fifty years after the attack, Mr. Richard attended a convention hosted
by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and met Bob Sullivan, who was one of the men
that he helped rescue; and
WHEREAS, during his thirteen years of military service to our country, Mr. Richard
was awarded with the WWII Victory Medal, American Defense Medal with a Bronze Star,
American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars,
Philippine Liberation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Korean Service Medal, Navy
Occupation Medal, Korean War Service Medal, and Honorable Discharge patch for his
valiant service; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Richard is a true hero who helped save the lives of many Americans
following the attacks on Pearl Harbor; he is most deserving of the highest recognition for his
valiant service to our country.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Pearl Harbor survivor Joe Richard for his
service in the United States Navy and does hereby recognize Mr. Richard as an American
hero.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Joe
Richard.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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