RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Albert Gilman has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Albert Gilman was a decorated Navy veteran and the loving husband ofthe late Virginia M., nee Allendorfer; and
WHEREAS, Albert Gilman was the much-adored father of Robert, the late Virginia, Richard, Michael, Mark, Joanne and Denise, the grandfather of thirteen and the great-grandfather of six to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, The son of French-Canadian parents, Albert Gilman was born in Merrimac, Massachusetts and served his country in the United States Navy during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Albert Gilman narrowly missed the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1940 because his heavy cruiser, the USS Northampton, was out at sea on training exercises; and
WHEREAS, Albert Gilman served aboard the Northampton until the vessel was sunk on November 30, 1942, during the nighttime Battle of Tassafaronga; and
WHEREAS, The Northampton caught on fire and listed into the sea after it was struck by enemy torpedoes as it courageously attacked Japanese submarines and destroyers that were attempting to deliver food and supplies to enemy troops on Guadalcanal; and
WHEREAS, By daybreak, Albert Gilman and his shipmates were rescued from the shark-infested waters of the Pacific Ocean by the USS Fletcher; and
WHEREAS, In 1945 Albert Gilman was ordered to return to the United States to attend radio and electronics school in Chicago and it was there that he met his future wife at a USO event; and
WHEREAS, During his naval service, Albert Gilman was promoted to Chief Petty Officer Electronic Technician and later served aboard the USS Kearsarge in Guantanamo, Cuba as Chief of the radar unit's early warning system; and
WHEREAS, Albert Gilman was awarded six combat stars, an Ame...
Click here for full text