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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
3Assembly pays honor and respect to veterans who have served
4their country and the State of Illinois; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Private Snell was a member of the 136th Infantry,
633rd division of the United States Army; he entered into
7service on April 22, 1942 and was stationed at various camps in
8the United States until he went overseas on July 5, 1943; he
9served in the New Guinea and Philippine campaigns and returned
10to the United States on November 4, 1945; he was honorably
11discharged at Camp Grant on November 24, 1945; and
 
12    WHEREAS, On May 6, 1945, the 136th Infantry was met by
13heavy mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire from the flanks and
14from caves on the reverse slope; as it reached the crest of the
15hill, a machine gun on the right flank opened fire and wounded
16four men; Private Snell moved forward alone and destroyed the
17weapon and its crew; he then directed his fellow soldiers in
18destroying three Japanese strong points; although wounded
19himself, he led his fellow soldiers forward, secured the enemy
20positions, captured the hill, and only then allowed himself to
21be evacuated; and
 
22    WHEREAS, On June 9, 1946, Private Snell was awarded the

 

 

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1Distinguished Service Cross, the army's second highest award
2for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty;
3along with the cross, he received the Good Conduct Medal, the
4American Campaign Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with two
5Bronze Battle Stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with one
6Bronze Battle Star, and the Purple Heart; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Private Snell displayed inspiring leadership,
8indomitable fighting spirit, and heroic effort despite his
9wounds; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
11HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
12SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the Utica River
13Bridge as the "Ralph E. Snell Memorial Bridge"; and be it
14further
 
15    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
16is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
17State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
18giving notice of the name of the "Ralph E. Snell Memorial
19Bridge"; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
21presented to the family of Private Ralph E. Snell and the
22Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.