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PRINTER'S NO. 1625
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
351
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY READSHAW, D. COSTA, GOODMAN, WHEATLEY, ENGLISH,
BARRAR, HARPER, MAHER, GROVE, SAINATO, DiGIROLAMO, McNEILL,
DUSH, SACCONE, DeLUCA, KIRKLAND, BENNINGHOFF, BROWNLEE,
BAKER, DONATUCCI, VEREB, DAVIS, HENNESSEY, DRISCOLL, ELLIS,
KOTIK, SONNEY, MILLARD, KNOWLES, COX, LONGIETTI, FARINA,
BIZZARRO, THOMAS, A. HARRIS, P. DALEY, CALTAGIRONE, HARHART,
MAHONEY, BOBACK, MARSHALL, GIBBONS, P. COSTA, MATZIE,
PICKETT, HAHN, WHEELAND, MURT, TALLMAN, GINGRICH, COHEN,
KINSEY, ROSS, PASHINSKI, O'NEILL, ROEBUCK, PAYNE, KRIEGER,
STAATS, JAMES, JOZWIAK AND MAJOR, MAY 28, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 28, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and expressing condolences upon the death of
United States Marine Corps Sergeant John McLaughlin.
WHEREAS, United States Marine Corps Sergeant John McLaughlin
was born December 15, 1930, in Pittsburgh to Michael and Mary
Connolly McLaughlin; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant John McLaughlin was a lifelong resident of
the Duquesne Heights section of Pittsburgh where he attended St.
Mary's of the Mount and Allegheny High School; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin enlisted in the United States
Marine Corps to fight in Korea and was a member of Company D,
32nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division; and
WHEREAS, The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, one of the most
significant battles in United States Marine Corps history, was a
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brutal 17-day battle in freezing weather lasting from November
27, 1950, until December 13, 1950, when 30,000 United Nations
Troops, mostly United States Marines, nicknamed "The Frozen
Chosin," were encircled by 67,000 People's Republic of China and
People's Volunteer Army 9th Army troops; and
WHEREAS, During the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, Sergeant
McLaughlin was a rifle squad leader when his company was
deployed in defensive positions on a snow-covered mountain in
subzero temperatures near Haguru-ri, Korea; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin exposed himself to heavy enemy
machine gun and grenade fire to move among his squad's positions
to ensure that the defenses were adequate and to give aid and
encouragement to his men; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin died at the age of 19 on
December 7, 1950, at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin was posthumously awarded the
Bronze Star with Combat V for recognition of his courage and
inspiration during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin was also awarded the Korean
Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart with
Gold Star, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation,
Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the United Nations
Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin was originally buried in a mass
grave on the battlefield; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin was part of an exchange of war
dead with North Korea and returned to the United States, being
buried as an unknown soldier at the National Memorial Cemetery
of the Pacific in Hawaii for 58 years; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin's remains were identified due to
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the ongoing efforts of the Korean War Project; and
WHEREAS, The Korean War Project has utilized DNA samples from
families to identify the remains of service personnel who would
otherwise remain unknown; and
WHEREAS, After six decades, Sergeant McLaughlin was returned
to Pittsburgh in April 2015; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin is an example of the
determination and resolve of our Commonwealth and our country to
identify and return our brave souls who serve and protect our
freedoms, standing by the American military motto dating back to
1756, "Leave No Man Behind"; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McLaughlin gave the ultimate sacrifice to
his Commonwealth and his country and has returned to the
Keystone State to rest with his family; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life
and extend condolences to the family of United States Marine
Corps Sergeant John McLaughlin, who is remembered and respected
for his service and heroism; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the family of Sergeant John McLaughlin at his internment with
full military honors in Pittsburgh on June 6, 2015.
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