SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 462
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 State of Texas, 89th
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 from the
Texas Senate.
Middleton
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 29, 2025.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate