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91_HR0187 LRB9106479CBcb 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION 2 WHEREAS, Russell E. Dunham of Jerseyville received the 3 Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions when he was a 4 Technical Sergeant with the United States Army near 5 Kayserberg, France, on January 8, 1945 during World War II; 6 and 7 WHEREAS, T/Sgt. Dunham received the medal for conspicuous 8 gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life 9 and beyond the call of duty; and 10 WHEREAS, T/Sgt. Dunham singlehandedly assaulted 3 machine 11 guns; wearing a white robe made of a mattress cover, carrying 12 12 carbine magazines, and with a dozen hand grenades snagged 13 in his belt, he advanced in the attack under fire from 2 14 machine guns and supporting riflemen; when he was 10 yards 15 from the gun, he was wounded but he arose and continued his 16 one man assault; and 17 WHEREAS, A grenade landed beside him, but he kicked it 18 away and it exploded 5 yards away; he shot and killed the 19 machine gunner and assistant gunner; he hurled grenades, 20 destroying guns and their crews; then fired down into the 21 supporting foxholes with his carbine, dispatching and 22 dispersing the enemy riflemen; and 23 WHEREAS, T/Sgt. Dunham ended up killing 9 Germans, 24 wounding 7, and capturing 2; he fired about 175 rounds of 25 carbine ammunition and 11 grenades; and 26 WHEREAS, T/Sgt. Dunham's extraordinary heroism, at the 27 risk of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions 28 of the military service; and 29 WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is proud of people like 30 Russell E. Dunham, who risked his life in the service of his 31 country; therefore, be it -2- LRB9106479CBcb 1 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2 NINETY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 3 we congratulate Russell E. Dunham in receiving the 4 Congressional Medal of Honor; that we commend him for his 5 valor and courage; and that we wish him all the best of luck 6 in the future; and be it further 7 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 8 presented to Russell E. Dunham as an expression of our 9 esteem.