2015 Assembly Joint Resolution 42
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: honoring Edward Wormhoudt.
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt, a distinguished veteran who resides with his family in Durand, Wisconsin, received the Congressional Gold Medal for his service to our country during World War II; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on October 5, 1924, and was one of 2 children, along with his brother, Jerry Wormhoudt; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt graduated from high school in 1941; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt enlisted in the United States Army in 1941; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt and Elaine Wormhoudt had a son, Lynn Wormhoudt, on December 28, 1941; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt was deployed first to Africa when he heard about the formation of the First Special Service Force, an elite group of soldiers from both Canada and the United States of America; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt took a demotion in rank to join the First Special Service Force and transferred to Italy to join the unit; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt was part of the First Special Service Force, also known as the Devil's Brigade, a unit that served from 1942 to 1944; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt married Elaine Avis Wormhoudt in 1948 in Detroit, Michigan; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt attended Lawrence Tech in Southfield, Michigan, where he received his degree in Mechanical Engineering; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt worked for Giffels and Rossetti, an architectural firm, for 12 years then began a 21 year career with the Ford Motor Company; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt retired to Florida with his wife Elaine for 20 years before eventually moving to Durand, Wisconsin, to live with his son, Lynn Wormhoudt, and granddaughter, Lisa Wormhoudt; and
Whereas, Edward Wormhoudt received a Congressional Gold Medal on February 3, 2015, in Washington, D.C., for his service in the Devil's Brigade; and
Whereas, the Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States of America and is awarded by the United States Congress to those who have performed an achievement that has a lasting impact on American history; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the legislature recognizes Edward Wormhoudt's achievement in receiving this most prestigious medal and congratulates him on his many accomplishments and thanks him for his dedication and service to our country.
