Senate Resolution No. 1427
BY: Senator TEDISCO
COMMENDING John W. and Joseph E. Kehoe
posthumously upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State
Senate
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this esteemed Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend John W.
and Joseph E. Kehoe posthumously upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate, to be celebrated at Schenectady
County's Honor-A-Veteran ceremony on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at
St. Luke's Church in Schenectady, New York; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Brothers John and Joseph Kehoe were born to Anna and Hugh
Kehoe; John Kehoe was born on April 29, 1920 and Joseph Kehoe was born
on November 21, 1912; and
WHEREAS, Growing up in the Schenectady area, John and Joseph Kehoe
attended Draper High School; before enlisting, John Kehoe was employed
by General Electric Co. and Joseph Kehoe worked for American Locomotive
Co.; and
WHEREAS, One month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, John Kehoe
answered the call to defend the Nation and entered the Army on January
9, 1942; he enrolled in the Aviation pre-flight school at Santa Ana,
California; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from primary training at King City, John
Kehoe was transferred to Lamoore Army flying school at Lamoore,
California; he received his wings and Commission as a Second Lieutenant
in the Army Air Corps at Williams Field in Chandler, Arizona; and
WHEREAS, Earning the prestigious title of First Lieutenant, John
Kehoe was assigned overseas to the 669th Squadron of the 416th Bomber
Group as a pilot of a B26 Tactical Bomber which interdicted tanks, rail
marshaling yards, ammunition depots, and infantry positions; and
WHEREAS, Giving the ultimate sacrifice to protect our great Nation
and vulnerable people around the world, John Kehoe was killed in action
Christmas morning in 1944; and
WHEREAS, On that date, he showed extraordinary heroism in action
when he encountered an intense flak on the bombing line to the target in
his aircraft; despite great damage to his aircraft, Lieutenant Kehoe
maintained his position in the formation and his right engine burst into
flames, spreading along the fuselage; sacrificing his own life, the
target was hit with amazing accuracy and shortly after, the aircraft
exploded in midair; and
WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, John Kehoe
was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Medal with two Oak
Clusters, and the Purple Heart Medal; and
WHEREAS, Entering as a Private into the Army on April 16, 1942,
Joseph Kehoe began his service at the Army Armored Regiment at Camp
Cooke, California; he went on to receive Basic Training at Fort Knox,
Kentucky and then attended Desert Training in California; and
WHEREAS, Showing exemplary skill, Joseph Kehoe was an honor graduate
of the Engineering School at Atlanta, Georgia; he also received a medal
for Marksmanship; and
WHEREAS, Upon transfer to the Pittsburgh, California, Replacement
Deport, Joseph Kehoe was assigned to the 44th Infantry Battalion, 6th
Armored Division; and
WHEREAS, 46 days after his brother, Joseph Kehoe was killed in
action on February 9, 1945; and
WHEREAS, Showing unfathomable selflessness, Joseph Kehoe started
crawling to the aid of a wounded comrade in a direct line of fire from a
nearby enemy machine gun; with utter disregard for his own safety,
Private First Class Kehoe was instantly killed in his efforts, but his
heroic action reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United
States Army; and
WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Joseph
Kehoe was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal; and
WHEREAS, Buried next to each other in the Luxembourg American
Cemetery, John W. and Joseph E. Kehoe will forever be preserved in
history as heroes; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and
WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend John W. and Joseph E. Kehoe posthumously upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the families of John W. and Joseph E. Kehoe.
