I
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS. Leroy Anthony Budnik, a proud Chicagoan, Army veteran, and second generation Polish-American, was selected for recognition from the Mayfair Veterans Committee and the Mayfair Lions Club to be honored at the Salute to American Heroes Ceremony for outstanding public service; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of this special occasion by The Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman of the 39"' Ward; and
WHEREAS. Leroy was drafted into the Army in 1952 during the height of the Korean War. Following Basic Training in Fort Bliss, Texas, he underwent radar technician training. He then served in Korea for two years, including thirteen months of combat in the Chorwon Valley, outside of the city of Seoul; and
WHEREAS, He served as Sound Section Chief for Battery A of the 235lh Field Artillery Battalion. He was Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of a sound base and was responsible for maintaining the installation and five blinkers on the 38lh Parallel in excellent operational condition at all times. Although he was only a Private First Class with no construction experience, he saw what needed to be done and acted with ingenuity and leadership; and
WHEREAS. During the war, Leroy observed the malnutrition in the Korean people and with conviction began spending his free time gathering leftovers from the mess and delivering it to hungry civilians; and
WHEREAS, Because his leadership and initiative exceeded both his training and his rank, he was promoted from PFC to Sergeant in less than eight months, an almost unheard of advancement, l ie received a Commendation Ribbon for Meritorious Service, which stated that he "strove to maintain the highest level of efficiency within his unit, the same time working with the highest regards for the welfare of the men under his control. [He] served as an inspiring example to his associates and contributed immeasurably to the successful accomplishment of this unit's mission;." and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Budnik also earned the Korean Service Ribbon, the W/l Bronze Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, After the war. Leroy and his wife Ruth settled in Mayfair. They have owned the same house on Foster since 1955. where they raised their son and daughter. Since serving our country abroad, Leroy continued to serve our community at home. Whether as a soldier or as a civilian, Leroy Budnik is a gracious man who has helped us all to live better and safer for more than sixty years; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council, gathered here this thirteenth day of November 2013 do hereby thank Leroy Anthony Budnik for his service, heroism and unwavering dedication to his community; and
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Leroy Anthony Budnik.
MARGARET LAURINO Alderman, 39lh Ward
Mo313AU3
3HJ 30 331330
oo :oi wv 8- aonenb
^0!SIMQll3Nn00Al!0 Q3AI303H