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Hinkle introduces resolution
to honor Vietnam War hero
Rep.
Bill Hinkle introduced a House resolution today to honor Cle
Elum resident and Vietnam War Hero Jim Harrison. The measure passed
unanimously after which Harrison was recognized by House members with a
standing ovation.
“We honor all kinds of people in this chamber,” said Hinkle, R-Cle Elum.
“But today we honor a true military hero. This man has served his
country with honor and risked his life without concern in the toughest
of circumstances in Vietnam.”
Harrison has been honored with a Silver Star for his bravery and is
being considered by a national committee to upgrade his Silver Star to a
Congressional Medal of Honor.
His Silver Star award certificate says that Harrison “put himself in
front of a savage hail of bullets while fearlessly leading his men
across an open field in an assault on the first line of defensive
trenches and bunkers…armed with only his automatic rifle and hand
grenades, he courageously charged the enemy fortification alone. He then
attacked the bunker, which was delivering the heaviest and most deadly
fire on his men, and destroyed it.”
Harrison was a sergeant in the Army’s Fifth Special Forces, Studies and
Observation Group in Vietnam in the late 1960s.
“Today Sergeant Harrison deserves his due,” Hinkle said. “It is through
the bravery and courage of great Americans like him that moved this
nation from a group of agrarian colonies under British rule to
liberators of Europe and a world leader in human rights and humanitarian
relief efforts. Every American today owes Sergeant Harrison a debt of
gratitude.”
Hinkle was joined in honoring Harrison by Rep. John Lovick, D-Mill
Creek. “I stand in support of this resolution and am humbled by Mr.
Harrison’s bravery. I thank him for his service to this country and
salute a true hero.”
“I’m honored that he’s living in our district. I hope Congress sees the
wisdom of upgrading his Silver Star as his achievements in Vietnam are
truly remarkable,” Hinkle said.
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For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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