Pennsylvania HR 338: A Resolution designating May 29, 2017, as "John F. Kennedy Day" in Pennsylvania on the commemoration of his 100th birthday.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2425
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 338
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MALONEY, SCHEUREN, COOK, D'ORSIE, GILLEN, JAMES,
MAJOR, SMITH, KUZMA, O'NEAL, NEILSON, KAUFFMAN, PICKETT,
SCHMITT, ROAE AND STAATS, OCTOBER 8, 2025
TO UNCONTESTED CALENDAR UNDER RULE 35 OCTOBER 8, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and legacy of United States Army Air Forces
Warrant Officer William J. McMichael, expressing condolences
to his family and commending with gratitude and respect the
recovery and return of his remains.
WHEREAS, William McMichael was born June 30, 1905, in
Boyertown, Berks County; and
WHEREAS, William McMichael enlisted in the United States Army
Air Forces in 1922 at 17 years of age; and
WHEREAS, William McMichael, having earned an honorable
discharge, reenlisted into active service with the United States
Army Air Forces in 1932; and
WHEREAS, In July 1941, William McMichael's unit was
transported to the Philippine Air Depot, Nichols Field military
base, in December 8, 1941, Japanese air raids began at Nichols
Field and other Pacific military bases; and
WHEREAS, On April 9, 1942, the United States Army Forces in
the Far East surrendered and on May 6, 1942, the remaining
United States and Filipino forces surrendered and were sent to
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Cabanatuan prison; and
WHEREAS, William McMichael, who endured the Bataan Death
March, became a prisoner of war at Cabanatuan prison; and
WHEREAS, On January 9, 1945, William McMichael and 424 other
American prisoners of war died as the Enoura Maru traveled from
Formosa to Japan, attacked by United States carrier planes whose
crews did not know the ship was transporting prisoners of war;
and
WHEREAS, The remains of William McMichael were contained in a
prisoner of war burial site at Formosa through May 1946, until
disinterment on October 30, 2017, for DNA testing confirmation,
and were finally identified at Offutt Lab, Nebraska on April 3,
2025; and
WHEREAS, On October 2, 2025, William McMichael's remains
arrived in Berks County with full military honors; and
WHEREAS, William McMichael earned numerous awards, including
the Bronze Star; and
WHEREAS, William McMichael was laid to rest in a military
funeral service at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on
October 7, 2025; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives solemnly observes
William McMichael's courage, camaraderie and sacrifice and that
an estimated 72,000 World War II service members are missing in
action and 81,000 total service members are missing in action;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life
and legacy of United States Army Air Forces Warrant Officer
William J. McMichael, express condolences to his family and
commend with gratitude and respect the recovery and return of
his remains.
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