House resolution

90th General Assembly

Regular Session, 2015 HR 1003
By: Representative Baltz

HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO HONOR VETERAN WILLIAM J. STRAUSS FOR HIS MILITARY SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR II.

TO HONOR VETERAN WILLIAM J. STRAUSS FOR HIS MILITARY SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR II.

WHEREAS, William J. "Bill" Strauss was born October 27, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois to William and Lillian Strauss; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Strauss was drafted into the United States Army January 30, 1942; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Strauss served in the 73rd Field Artillery of the 9th Armored Division of the United States Army in World War II. The 9th Armored Division was nicknamed the "Phantom Division" and is known for its extraordinary heroism against a surprise attack by a German division which outnumbered allied troops five to one; and
WHEREAS, over seventy years ago, Bill Strauss fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the largest and bloodiest battle fought by the United States in World War II which helped hasten the end of the war; and
WHEREAS, the 9th Armored Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, which is awarded to distinguished units of the United States Armed Forces for extraordinary heroism in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions on or after December 7, 1941; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Strauss was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Battle Stars to recognize his military service in the European Theater during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Bill Strauss was honorably discharged on October 23, 1945. He retired to Salem, Arkansas in 1995; and
WHEREAS, to this day Bill Strauss continues to delight the audience and members of his local Veterans of Foreign Wars post with his retelling of the events of the Battle of the Bulge,
NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: