H.R. No. 90
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, On January 11, 2023, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.)
John Footman of Harker Heights was officially awarded the Bronze
Star Medal with Valor Device and the Purple Heart in a pinning
ceremony at Fort Hood; the presentation came 52 years after he
received the commendations in a more informal manner during his
second tour of combat duty in the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida,
Mr. Footman was drafted for military service in 1967; eager to
serve his country, he undertook training in Georgia and Louisiana
before being sent to Vietnam for the first time in 1968; during that
tour of duty, he was awarded his first Purple Heart medal after
being wounded in the leg by enemy fire; he was subsequently posted
to Germany, and in 1970 he valiantly volunteered to return to the
war in Southeast Asia; and
WHEREAS, During his second tour of duty, Mr. Footman fought
with the 4th and 5th Infantry Divisions; demonstrating exceptional
leadership and courage, he earned his Bronze Star Medal with Valor
Device after capturing enemy equipment and intelligence documents
and discovering a weapons cache; he was seriously wounded when his
personnel carrier struck a land mine, and though he was initially
told that he wouldn't walk again, he defied the doctors' prognoses
and was able to regain the use of his legs several weeks after he was
hospitalized; in recognition of his heroic service during both of
his combat tours, he was ultimately awarded two Bronze Stars and two
Purple Hearts as well as three Army Commendation Medals; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Footman remained a member of the military until
retiring in 1987, and he has continued to serve his fellow service
members in myriad ways; a member of Disabled American Veterans and
Veterans of Foreign Wars, he plays a vital role in helping
active-duty soldiers and veterans receive the assistance they need
in transitioning to civilian life, and he has been honored for his
community service as part of the Congressional Veteran Commendation
program; moreover, he is a past commander for the Harker Heights
chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Military
Order of the Purple Heart Department of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Through his unfaltering bravery and devotion to
duty, John Footman has long exemplified the highest ideals of the
U.S. armed forces, and it is indeed a pleasure to congratulate him
on his official receipt of these prestigious military honors; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.)
John Footman for his official receipt of the Bronze Star Medal with
Valor Device and the Purple Heart and commend him for his
exceptional service in behalf of his nation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Footman as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Shine
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 90 was adopted by the House on March
8, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House