Bill Text: TX HCR120 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Directing the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to George Benton Turner.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-10 - Signed by the Governor [HCR120 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HCR120-Enrolled.html

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H.C.R. No. 120

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established
to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state
or federal military forces, and U.S. Army Private First Class
George Benton Turner proved himself a deserving recipient of this
prestigious commendation with his heroic actions during World War
II; and
WHEREAS, George Turner was born in Longview in 1899, the son
of Gaines and Emme Turner, and he later attended Wentworth Military
Academy in Lexington, Missouri; during World War I, he enlisted in
the U.S. Marine Corps, but the conflict ended before he had a chance
to see action; after the war, he settled in California and married;
and
WHEREAS, When the United States entered World War II,
Mr. Turner answered his nation's call to duty once again and
enlisted in the U.S. Army even though he was already in his forties;
during training, he demonstrated his dedication to duty and his
determination to prove himself in combat, and he quickly won the
respect of his officers and fellow soldiers, many of whom were young
enough to be his children; on several occasions, he refused a
promotion, knowing it would keep him from the front lines; and
WHEREAS, By 1945, Private Turner was serving in France with
the 499th Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the 14th Armored
Division; on January 3, he was acting as a forward observer in the
village of Philippsbourg, only a few miles from the German border,
when he found himself cut off from his unit by an enemy armored
infantry attack; and
WHEREAS, After encountering an Allied infantry company that
was retreating before the German advance, Private Turner spotted
two enemy tanks and 75 German soldiers advancing up the main street
of the village; despite the staggering odds, he held his ground
under heavy fire and used a rocket launcher to destroy one of the
tanks and to disable the other; he then removed a machine gun from a
nearby half-track and used it to further disrupt the enemy
onslaught; in the ensuing American counterattack, two U.S. tanks
were disabled, and Private Turner again sprang into action, firing
a light machine gun from the hip to hold off the Germans so that the
American tank crews could escape; he attempted to rescue a soldier
from one of the burning tanks but was driven back and wounded when
the tank's ammunition exploded; and
WHEREAS, Despite his injuries, Private Turner refused to be
evacuated, and he continued to fight until the next day; during that
time, he helped drive off an enemy patrol, took part in the capture
of a German position, and drove a truck through heavy fire to
deliver wounded men to an aid station in the rear; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his magnificent heroism, Private
Turner was presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor by
President Harry Truman on August 23, 1945; at the age of 46, he was
one of the oldest individuals to receive that illustrious
commendation in World War II; following his return to civilian
life, he died in Encino, California, in 1963, and was buried in
Arlington National Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, George Turner's extraordinary actions on the field
of battle distinguished him as a warrior of peerless courage, and it
is indeed appropriate that he be honored with the highest military
award granted by the state where he was born; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby direct the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously
award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to George Benton Turner
in recognition of his valiant service during World War II.
Dean
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 120 was adopted by the House on
April 23, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present,
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 120 was adopted by the Senate on
May
20, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor