HR0316 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0316 LRB102 18475 ECR 26602 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Edward Aldrich, a Morris resident, joined the United States Army in 1968 with the plan of becoming a military police officer and starting a career in law enforcement after his service; and

WHEREAS, After spending time serving state side, Specialist Edward Aldrich received an order in 1969 to go to Vietnam where he where he was assigned to Company B, 720th Military Police Battalion; and

WHEREAS, B Company, known as the Bushwackers, were comprised of three Ambush and Reconnaissance Platoons and one Patrol Boat Riverine (PBR) Platoon; and

WHEREAS, During his time with the Bushwackers, Specialist Edward Aldrich was assigned as a rifleman to the 2nd Ambush & Reconnaissance Platoon from July of 1969 through November of 1969; from December of 1969 through July of 1970, he was assigned to the PBR Platoon as a Senior Boston Whaler Operators; and

WHEREAS, The Reconnaissance and Ambush Platoons were directed to seek out and destroy any Vietcong or Northern Vietnamese Army Units pertaining to a 22 square mile Tactical Area of Responsibility in and around the Long Binh and Bien Hoa area of South Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, The Boston Whaler Operators piloted small armed gun boats primarily used to transport Ambush Personnel to and from embarkation and debarkation points along the Song Dong Nai River; and

WHEREAS, The Bushwackers were originally trained to be policemen but were assigned to fulfill infantry tactical operations; they were the first line of defense protecting Long Binh Post, which was the largest military base in South Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, The protection of the Long Binh Post required the Bushwackers to perform ambushes as well as recon and patrol missions that lasted up to 12 days in awful terrain and poor weather conditions; and

WHEREAS, Just like the infantry units, the Bushwackers were responsible for calling in their own air strikes and support as well as any artillery; and

WHEREAS, These heroes may not have been classified as infantry, but they did the same jobs and have earned the acknowledgment of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Edward Aldrich feels that he and those with whom he served have earned the Combat Infantry Badge, which the United States Army continues to deny; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the federal government to recognize Specialist Edward Aldrich and all the members of Company B, 720th Military Police, the Bushwackers, with the Combat Infantry Badge for their service and sacrifice to our country during the Vietnam War; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Specialist Edward Aldrich as a symbol of our esteem and respect.