RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Joseph Langdell has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 100; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman>Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Yuba City, California, Joseph Langdell was a highly distinguished veteran of World War II and the loving husband of the late Elizabeth, nee McGauhy; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Langdell was the much-adored father of John (Navy-Ret.) and Ted to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that' he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Langdell was the last surviving officer of the battleship USS Arizona which was sunk during the 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and propelled the United States into World War II; and
WHEREAS, A native of Wilton, New Hampshire, Joseph Langdell graduated from Boston University and^attended the US Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School at Northwestern University in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Langdell was a 27-year-old ensign stationed in Hawaii- when ,the attack occurred during the morning hours of December 7, 1941, killing 1,177 of his shipmates; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Langdell was billeted in officers' quarters on Ford Island near battleship row when he was suddenly awakened by the sounds of fighter planes and explosions; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Langdell rushed to rescue injured sailors and Marines, many covered in burning oil, after the USS Arizona was bombed; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, Joseph Langdell ran a home furnishings business in Yuba City and_ was.r.named a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve; and
WHEREAS,.Joseph Langdell was a leading member of the USS Arizona Reunion Association and for many years organized its annual reunion in Tucson, Arizona; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Joseph Langdell serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love* of: life and ability to liye it to the fullest endeared Joseph Langdell to his family .members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Langdell will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Joseph Langdell imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That- we, the Mayor.^and the members of the Chicago City Council,., assembled this eighteenth day of March, 2015, do hereby commemorate Joseph Langdell for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph Langdell.