[ Back ] [ Bottom ]
91_HR0187
LRB9106479CBcb
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Russell E. Dunham of Jerseyville received the
3 Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions when he was a
4 Technical Sergeant with the United States Army near
5 Kayserberg, France, on January 8, 1945 during World War II;
6 and
7 WHEREAS, T/Sgt. Dunham received the medal for conspicuous
8 gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
9 and beyond the call of duty; and
10 WHEREAS, T/Sgt. Dunham singlehandedly assaulted 3 machine
11 guns; wearing a white robe made of a mattress cover, carrying
12 12 carbine magazines, and with a dozen hand grenades snagged
13 in his belt, he advanced in the attack under fire from 2
14 machine guns and supporting riflemen; when he was 10 yards
15 from the gun, he was wounded but he arose and continued his
16 one man assault; and
17 WHEREAS, A grenade landed beside him, but he kicked it
18 away and it exploded 5 yards away; he shot and killed the
19 machine gunner and assistant gunner; he hurled grenades,
20 destroying guns and their crews; then fired down into the
21 supporting foxholes with his carbine, dispatching and
22 dispersing the enemy riflemen; and
23 WHEREAS, T/Sgt. Dunham ended up killing 9 Germans,
24 wounding 7, and capturing 2; he fired about 175 rounds of
25 carbine ammunition and 11 grenades; and
26 WHEREAS, T/Sgt. Dunham's extraordinary heroism, at the
27 risk of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions
28 of the military service; and
29 WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is proud of people like
30 Russell E. Dunham, who risked his life in the service of his
31 country; therefore, be it
-2- LRB9106479CBcb
1 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
2 NINETY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3 we congratulate Russell E. Dunham in receiving the
4 Congressional Medal of Honor; that we commend him for his
5 valor and courage; and that we wish him all the best of luck
6 in the future; and be it further
7 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8 presented to Russell E. Dunham as an expression of our
9 esteem.
[ Top ]