Proc. 2011-17 Sgt. Virgil LaRue Day 03-01-11PROCLAMATION
NO. 20-11-17
WHEREAS Virgil LaRue was born in Crockett, Texas on May 13, 1915, eventually resettling in
New Mexico, where he was drafted into the U.S. Army on March 25,1941, as an
anti - aircraft machine gunner; and
WHEREAS Sergeant LaRue was stationed in the Philippines, bravely defending Clark's Field in
an attack there just eight hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and
WHEREAS Sergeant LaRue was one of the firstprisoners of war in World WarII, enduring the
Bataan Death March with two members of his basic training unit from Fort Bliss
and
WHEREAS Sergeant Virgil LaRue survived approximately three years of captivity, finally
being released shortly after VJDay; and
WHEREAS Sergeant LaRue has been honored with the POWMedal, the WWII Victory Ribbon,
the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with one Bronze
Star, the Philippines Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Star, and the American
Defense Service Ribbon with one Bronze Star, among many others; and
WHEREAS this fine citizen and member of the American Legion has chosen to retire in our
community, as a beacon of freedom and courage for us all.
NOW, THEREFORE, BEITHEREBYPROCLALMED, by the power vested in me as
Mayor of the City of Huntsville, Texas that:
March 1, 2011
be declared: "Sgt. Virgil LaRue Day"
in the City of Huntsville, and call upon our citizens to join in the celebration of his
achievement, and acknowledge his special contributions to our community.
PROCLAIMED AND SIGNED this 1st day of March 2011.
J. Turner, Mayor