STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

Whereas, the greatness of America is its liberty, for which brave and patriotic men and women have selflessly made sacrifices to preserve throughout our history, as liberty has inspired America’s sons and daughters to willingly defend our precious freedoms, and those of other people; and

Whereas, six decades ago, Americans were asked to serve in a devastating global war that threatened our sovereignty and that of our allies around the world, and it was an extraordinary generation of citizens who responded, putting aside their personal comfort and well-being to defend America and to defeat tyranny; and

Whereas, out of the bloodshed and carnage of World War II rose shining examples of selfless courage, heroism and glorious deeds under the most dire of circumstances and against a background of unprecedented loss of lives; and

Whereas, none served more valiantly than Sergeant Francis S. Currey, a native New Yorker, whose bravery, tenacity and spirit of selflessness earned him the admiration of his comrades in arms and our nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for service above and beyond the call of duty; and

Whereas, the heroic actions of Sergeant Currey, a 19-year-old rifleman with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division, unfolded on a cold winter day shortly before Christmas of 1944 when his unit, guarding a vital bridge near Malmedy, Belgium, came under heavy enemy fire; and

Whereas, the young man from Hurleyville, Sullivan County – responding with uncommon valor and incredible determination – single-handedly knocked out a small German army that threatened to overrun his platoon and continue its offensive thrust against American forces in the Ardennes; and

Whereas, using a bazooka, automatic rifle, machine guns and hand grenades, while braving withering enemy fire, Sgt. Currey destroyed a German tank and a house occupied by Nazi troops, rescuing five Americans held down for hours by the enemy, and left deprived of tanks and with heavy infantry casualties, the German troops were forced to retreat, halting its advance; and

Whereas, the actions of Sgt. Currey are an inspiration to all Americans and will be celebrated with festivities and memorializing ceremonies in his home community on July 12, 2009 by grateful citizens committed to honoring and establishing a lasting tribute to their heroic native son;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby recognize July 12, 2009 as

SGT. FRANCIS S. CURREY DAY

in the Empire State and with special recognition of the enduring spirit of patriotism and tremendous heroism he embodied.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the Stateat the Capitol in the City of Albany this ninth day of July in the year two thousand nine.

David A. Paterson
Governor