JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10
A Joint Resolution making additional designations to the Korean War Memorial Highway.
Whereas, The Korean War represents a difficult period in America's history and is known as the "Forgotten War," even though in three years over 54,246 American soldiers died, 103,284 were wounded in action and 8,177 MIAs are still unaccounted for, and the viciousness of the fighting is illustrated by the fact that 131 Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded to American combatants; and
Whereas, Of the 7,000 Americans taken prisoner during the 37 months of the Korean War, 51% died in prisoner of war camps, the highest percentage of any modern war; and
Whereas, After the end of the Korean War, American troops remained stationed in the demilitarized zone for 36 years until October 4, 1991, during which time 90 were killed in action and 134 were wounded in action; and even today American troops are stationed in Korea; and
Whereas, Joint Resolution No. 3 of 1995, approved April 11, 1995, designates Interstate Highway Route 287 as the "Korean War Memorial Highway," with additional designations as the route passes through Bergen, Passaic and Morris counties in honor of three Korean War veterans and residents of this State who distinguished themselves in battle during that war, with Ex POW and Army Staff Sergeant Walter Bray designated for the Bergen County portion of the highway, former U.S. Air Force gunner Clarence "Red" Mosley designated for the Passaic County portion of the highway, and former Marine Hector Cafferata, Jr. designated for the Morris County portion of the highway; and
Whereas, At that time, it was intended that two additional Korean War veterans and New Jersey residents who also distinguished themselves in battle, one each for Somerset and Middlesex counties, would be named at a later date by the Korean War Veterans of New Jersey, Inc., and who would then propose the names of these Korean War veterans for consideration by this Governor and Legislature as additional designations to the highway; and
Whereas, Captain Joseph Azzolina, U.S. Navy (Ret.), served in Korea in 1951, as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Intelligence Officer aboard the destroyer USS Toledo, and was a fire control officer for ship at the Wonsong Harbor battle and later at the Inchon invasion, covering and pinpointing the fire support for the troops on shore, and who during the battle of the Han River crossing, directed the support fire for the besieged 25th Infantry Division where his pinpoint fire control played a major part in the relief of those in combat on shore while engaging in a difficult land battle against a superior number of troops; and
Whereas, Lieutenant Colonel Richard F. Lauer, U.S. Army (Ret.) served in Korea from November 1950 through December 1951 as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Company Commander, and, for his extraordinary heroism in military operations against armed enemies, was recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor, and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Valor, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Korean Service Medal; and
Whereas, Captain Azzolina and Colonel Lauer have been proposed for consideration by the Korean War Veterans of New Jersey, Inc., with the intention that each of the five final additional designations would be represented by a living Korean War veteran from each of the four services of the U.S. Armed Forces, plus a living Korean War veteran who is a former prisoner of war, and that all five of these veterans would be a testament to all of those Korean War veterans being memorialized, both living and deceased, under this type of memorial dedication, the first type of memorial dedication of its kind; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper to recognize those who served in the Korean War, and in particular to recognize the service of Captain Azzolina and Colonel Lauer during that conflict, by naming the Korean War Memorial Highway (Interstate Highway Route 287) as the Korean War Memorial Highway/Joseph Azzolina, Captain, Retired, U.S. Navy, where Route 287 passes through Somerset County and the Korean War Memorial Highway/Richard F. Lauer, Lt. Colonel, Retired, U.S. Army, where Route 287 passes through Middlesex County; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Korean War Memorial Highway is designated as the Korean War Memorial Highway/Joseph Azzolina, Captain, Retired, U.S. Navy, where Interstate Highway Route 287 passes through Somerset County and the Korean War Memorial Highway/Richard F. Lauer, Lt. Colonel, Retired, U.S. Army, where Interstate Highway Route 287 passes through Middlesex County.
2. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to erect appropriate signs bearing those names.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
Approved January 19, 1998.