Commemorating "Medal of Honor Day" on March 25, 2026, in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration in the United States. It is awarded by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress, "to members of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves conspicuously by their gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty"; and

WHEREAS, There are three distinct versions of the Medal of Honor. The United States Navy introduced its version in 1861, which is awarded to members of the United States Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. The United States Army introduced its version in 1862, and the United States Air Force introduced its version in 1965. Prior to 1965, members of the Air Force received the United States Army version of the Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, "Medal of Honor Day" is a federal holiday that was established to honor the heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients. It was created when President George H. W. Bush signed Public Law 101-564 on November 15, 1990; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island has the distinction of having thirty-five of its citizens receive the Medal of Honor. These heroic men were, from the Civil War, Lieutenant William B. Avery, (Navy), Sergeant William J. Babcock, (Army), Corporal James A. Barber, (Army), Captain George M. Bliss, (Army), Colonel Zenas R. Bliss, (Army), Lieutenant John K. Bucklyn, (Army), Sergeant James H. Burbank, (Army), Corporal Benjamin H. Child, (Army), Private John Corcoran, (Army), Captain of the Top John Edwards, (Navy), Private Charles D. Ennis, (Army), Sergeant John H. Havron, (Army), Coxswain Thomas Hayes, (Navy), Corporal Samuel E. Lewis, (Army), Private George E. McDonald, (Army), Sergeant Archibald Molbone, (Army), Corporal Thomas Parker, (Army), Private George W. Potter, (Army), Seaman George E. Read (Navy), Private Joseph Taylor, ( Army), Lieutenant Edward P. Tobie, (Army), and Private James Welsh, (Army). The Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaign are Sergeant John S. Lawton, (Army), and Private Owen McGar (Army). The Medal of Honor recipients from the Interim Period are Gunner’s Mate rd Class Petty Officer, John Davis (Navy), Boatswain’s Mate Matthew Gillick, (Navy), Seaman Philip Moore, (Navy), and Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, Michael Walsh, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipient from the Mexican Campaign is Gunner’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, George Bradley, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipient from World War I is Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, Francis Edward Ormsbee, Jr., (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipient from the Interim Period between World Wars I and II is Gunner’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, Thomas Eadie, (Navy). The Medal of Honor recipients from World War II are Sergeant William G. Fournier, (Army), Private George G. Peters, (Army), and Lieutenant Robert T. Waugh, (Army), and the Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War is Corporal David B. Champagne, (United States Marine Corps); now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby commemorates "Medal of Honor Day" and all its heroic recipients on March 25, 2026; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the State of Rhode Island, Mr. Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services, and Brigadier General Andrew J. Chevalier, Rhode Island Adjutant General.