SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 37
WHEREAS, Sixty years ago, in July 1953, Major Richard
S. Agnew of Plano demonstrated extraordinary courage and
determination while fighting for his nation during the Korean
War; and
WHEREAS, Dick Agnew enlisted in the United States Army in
Massachusetts in 1947, rising through the ranks of the airborne
infantry to attend Officer Candidate School and earn a commission
as a second lieutenant in 1952; and
WHEREAS, On the night of July 19, 1953, while serving with
the 40th Infantry Division near Heartbreak Ridge, Lieutenant
Agnew was leading a patrol in the dark through enemy territory
when he and his assistant patrol leader fell off a cliff; unable
to move quickly because of a broken ankle, Lieutenant Agnew sent
the patrol back while he and the other man remained behind; and
WHEREAS, The following night, Lieutenant Agnew and his
companion scaled the cliff and started back toward their own
lines; after the lieutenant repelled an enemy attacker with a
hand grenade, the two Americans were separated by enemy fire, and
Lieutenant Agnew was wounded; exhausted as well as injured, the
lieutenant then fought hand-to-hand with another enemy soldier
before he was finally rescued by a United Nations patrol; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his heroic struggle that night,
Lieutenant Agnew received the Distinguished Service Cross and
the Purple Heart; he earned promotion to captain, and he went on
to serve as a major in the United States Army Reserve; and
WHEREAS, When he returned to civilian life, Major Agnew
received a bachelor's degree cum laude in business
administration from Suffolk University in Boston and embarked
upon a successful business career; now retired and living in
Plano, Major Agnew is a member of the board of directors of the
Legion of Valor and the commander of the Dallas chapter, and he
has served as a director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Foundation; and
WHEREAS, From his actions during the Korean War through his
lifetime of advocacy for veterans, Major Dick Agnew has embodied
the highest ideals of the United States armed forces, and he is
indeed deserving of recognition on this special anniversary for
his courage, dedication, and patriotism; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commemorate the
60th anniversary of Major Richard S. Agnew's heroism during the
Korean War and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for Major Agnew as an expression of high regard by the
Texas Senate.
Paxton
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on July 12, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate