HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2022-4652

HR 4652

ByRepresentative Caldier

WHEREAS, The United States owes an immeasurable debt to members of the armed forces who fought for our country on the front lines of World War II, spending months overseas away from their families during long deployments in the most dangerous circumstances imaginable; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Marine Raiders were the first special forces unit formed in the American military in February 1942 in four battalions - Edson, Carlson, Roosevelt, and Liversedge - during World War II; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Marine Raiders played a large role in victories at Makin Island, Tulagi, Guadalcanal, Guam, and Okinawa during World War II; and

WHEREAS, According to the Marine Raider Association and Foundation, the WWII Marine Raider Battalions earned seven Medals of Honor, 141 Navy Crosses, and 330 Silver Stars; and

WHEREAS, Charles "Chuck" Meacham of Gig Harbor, Washington, served in the United States Marine Corps 3rd Marine Raider Battalion Unit during World War II on the Pacific Islands of Bougainville, Emirau, Guam, and Okinawa; and

WHEREAS, Charles "Chuck" Meacham spent 24 consecutive months in the South Pacific engaging in combat as a BAR man on Bougainville, Emirau, Guam, and Okinawa; and

WHEREAS, Charles "Chuck" Meacham was involved in several first wave landings within Japanese held territory during World War II, including a rubber boat landing behind enemy lines in Bougainville; and

WHEREAS, After leaving the Marine Corps, Charles "Chuck" Meacham spent several years managing Alaska's Department of Fish and Game and as Assistant Secretary of the Interior in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Charles "Chuck" Meacham now resides in the 26th Legislative District in Gig Harbor, WA, and has continued work to remember and honor the members of the WWII Marine Raider Battalions and those that were affected by the war in the Pacific Islands through charitable work;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor Charles "Chuck" Meacham of the United States Marine Corps 3rd Marine Raider Battalion for his immeasurable contributions and sacrifices to the United States of America and the original Marine Raiders' significant role in World War II.