89R25800 CW-D
By: Middleton S.R. No. 462
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic rendered
exceptional service to his country as a member of the USS Vulcan
crew during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962; and
WHEREAS, A native of Galveston, Mr. Urbanic served as an
opticalman petty officer 3rd class on the USS Vulcan; his
responsibilities aboard the ship included repairing binoculars,
telescopes, and such navigation equipment as sextants and azimuth
bearing circles; and
WHEREAS, In fall 1962, Petty Officer Urbanic had been aboard
the vessel for six weeks before the October outbreak of the Cuban
Missile Crisis, a major confrontation that brought the United
States and the Soviet Union dangerously close to war over the
presence of Soviet nuclear-armed ballistic missiles on the island
of Cuba; on October 22, President John F. Kennedy ordered a naval
quarantine in an effort to keep Soviet ships from delivering more
weapons to Cuba; the Vulcan was deployed to San Juan, Puerto Rico,
where Petty Officer Urbanic and his crewmates provided essential
repair, electronics, and support services to the American ships
forming a quarantine ring blockade around Cuba; the strategy proved
successful, and the Vulcan returned home to Norfolk, Virginia, on
November 30, following its 23-day mission in the Caribbean; and
WHEREAS, Years later, Petty Officer Urbanic was honored
during a ceremony in League City, where he was presented with the
Texas Cold War Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, as well
as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, which recognized his
participation in the Cuban blockade; and
WHEREAS, Demonstrating exemplary skill and dedication, Simon
Urbanic upheld the highest ideals of the United States military,
and his fellow citizens owe him a lasting debt of gratitude; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby commend U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic for his
exceptional service during the Cuban Missile Crisis and extend to
him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Urbanic as an expression of high regard by the
Texas Senate.