84R6256 BPG-D
By: Miller of Comal H.C.R. No. 44
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant Gilberto Lopez Sanchez
of New Braunfels made the ultimate sacrifice in behalf of his
country during the Korean War, in the ferocious Battle of the Chosin
Reservoir; and
WHEREAS, One of eight brothers to serve in the United States
military, Sergeant Sanchez was born to Bernardino and Coleta
Sanchez in Comal County on October 21, 1931; trained as an army
medic, he was assigned to the Medical Company, 32nd Infantry
Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which was deployed east of the
Chosin Reservoir in November 1950 as part of the 31st Regimental
Combat Team; on the night of November 27-28, 1950, RCT-31, known
historically as Task Force Faith, was attacked by vastly larger
numbers of enemy forces; the fighting continued for some two weeks,
with the task force suffering grievous losses; on December 2, 1950,
Sergeant Sanchez, who had been treating the wounded, was reported
as missing in action, and on December 31, 1953, he was listed as
presumed dead; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, the family of Sergeant Sanchez
continued to search for information as to his fate; his remains have
now been recovered and have been identified through DNA, and he is
being laid to rest with full military honors on January 23, 2015, at
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Sanchez was the recipient of the Purple
Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service
Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential
Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal; he was
also awarded the Combat Medical Badge; and
WHEREAS, Unwavering in his devotion to duty, honor, and this
country, Sergeant Gilberto Sanchez embodied the highest ideals of
the United States armed forces, and his fellow citizens mourn the
death of a courageous soldier and patriot whose life was a blessing
to all who were privileged to share in his love and friendship; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor the memory of U.S. Army Sergeant Gilberto Sanchez and
extend to his family sincere sympathy for his loss and profound
gratitude for his valiant service; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House
of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory
of U.S. Army Sergeant Gilberto Lopez Sanchez.