82R27330 JH-D
By: Smithee H.C.R. No. 164
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, During the epic events of World War II, a
15-year-old French citizen named Jean Hilfiger distinguished
himself by helping United States troops to effect a crucial
crossing of the Moselle River as they battled against the armed
forces of Nazi Germany; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hilfiger grew up in a patriotic French family;
his father fought with the French army during the war, and his
mother helped form a maquis, a group of resistance fighters, to
battle against the German occupation that began in 1940; and
WHEREAS, When American forces advanced into eastern France in
the fall of 1944, soldiers from the U.S. 36th Infantry Division
called at Mr. Hilfiger's house and asked for a guide to take them to
a vantage point above the Moselle to observe enemy positions along
the opposite bank; though only a teenager, Jean Hilfiger
volunteered for the job and successfully carried it out; afterward,
American officers requested his assistance in finding a suitable
place for their forces to ford the river; again, he agreed to help
and was outfitted with a uniform and a rifle for the dangerous work
ahead; and
WHEREAS, Under cover of darkness, this brave young man guided
a group of 10 soldiers through the farmlands near the river, risking
attack from the Germans as they journeyed to the crossing point Mr.
Hilfiger had selected; before dawn the next morning, he led the
advance party across the river, assisting them in their efforts to
establish a pontoon bridge to carry out their regiment's offensive;
as daylight spread across the landscape, the group came under enemy
machine gun fire and shelling, and he helped a badly wounded
American to get back across the Moselle; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hilfiger's crossing at Noirgeux was well chosen,
and the U.S. forces were able to quickly establish a bridgehead to
begin moving their men and equipment across the river; their
advance helped bring about the capture of the city of Remiremont
several days later, which was another step on the path to the
ultimate Allied victory in Europe; and
WHEREAS, Always appreciative of the sacrifices that
Americans made to help his country, Mr. Hilfiger is active in a
"Friends of the 36th U.S. Infantry Division" organization that each
year commemorates the river crossing and helps focus attention on
the important events that transpired during the war; and
WHEREAS, Jean Hilfiger had not yet reached adulthood when he
was called into action to help liberate his homeland, yet he put his
life on the line to achieve that goal without hesitation by
assisting American soldiers, and his actions continue to resonate
more than six decades later; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor Jean Hilfiger on his courageous work in aiding U.S.
military forces during World War II and extend to him sincere
appreciation for his remarkable heroism; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Hilfiger as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.