H.R. No. 1260
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Joe Hernandez of Pampa was presented a Bronze Star
on March 12, 2013, in recognition of his courageous service as a
member of the United States Army in World War II; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hernandez graduated from Pampa High School in
May 1944 and, answering his country's call to duty, enlisted in the
United States Army that September; after 12 weeks of training in
Mineral Wells, he was sent to the front lines in Europe, where
Allied forces had just pushed back a massive German offensive in the
Battle of the Bulge; and
WHEREAS, In February 1945, Mr. Hernandez joined the 78th
Division in Schmidt, Germany, near the Belgian border; as the
Allies pushed ever deeper into Germany from the west, he and his
unit marched up to 20 miles a day; during their advance, Mr.
Hernandez sustained multiple injuries from mortar shrapnel in the
course of a firefight with German troops; he was sent to Paris to
recuperate, but after just three weeks he returned to the front;
following the end of the war in Europe, he remained in Germany for a
time on occupation duty; and
WHEREAS, For his intrepid service, Mr. Hernandez was awarded
the Combat Infantry Badge, a decoration that made him eligible for
the Bronze Star; he is also the recipient of the Purple Heart, the
Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation of
Germany and Japan Medal; and
WHEREAS, After his discharge from the military, this esteemed
veteran returned home, married, and raised a family; he worked for
the railroad and then spent 27 years as a mail carrier with the
postal service before his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hernandez exemplifies the selflessness and
courage of those who fought for this country during the most
far-reaching conflict in world history, and his fellow citizens owe
him a profound and lasting debt of gratitude; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby honor Joe Hernandez on his receipt of the Bronze
Star and extend to him sincere appreciation for his steadfast
patriotism and service; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Hernandez as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
King of Hemphill
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1260 was adopted by the House on April
17, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House