BILL NUMBER: S8922
SPONSOR: BORRELLO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to dedicating a portion of
the state highway system to Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To honor and commemorate the life and service of Specialist Thomas Edwin
Beglinger by dedicating a portion of the state highway system to him.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: adds new section 344-s to the highway law. All that portion
of the state highway system in the county of Wyoming, constituting state
route 98 from School Street in the town of Sheldon at the southern end
to the southern line of the village of Attica, shall be dedicated to
Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger.
Section 2: Directs the Commissioner of Transportation to install and
maintain appropriate signage
Section 3: This act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger was born and raised in the Attica, New
York area. He was one of six children of Robert G. Beglinger and Mabel
Edith Glor, with three brothers and three sisters. A 1962 graduate of
Attica High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society and
went on to complete his studies at Alfred Agricultural & Technical
Institute. He was inducted into the United States Army on August 25,
1965.
Specialist Thomas Edwin Beglinger distinguished himself through extraor-
dinary heroism on October 2, 1966, while serving with his company during
a battalion-size sweep near the village of Ong Truong in Vietnam. During
the operation, one of the company elements came under intense fire after
encountering the perimeter defenses of a Viet Cong base camp.
In the initial engagement, both the platoon leader and his radio-tele-
phone operator were severely wounded and left lying in a minefield.
Recognizing the immediate danger to his fellow soldiers, Specialist
Beglinger unhesitatingly moved toward them. As he advanced, he was
subjected to heavy sniper and grenade fire, yet he continued with unwav-
ering determination. Upon reaching the two wounded soldiers, he began
administering first aid while still under intense hostile fire. Special-
ist Beglinger continued rendering lifesaving assistance until he was
mortally wounded.
The remarkable courage and profound selflessness displayed by Specialist
Beglinger exemplifies the highest ideals of military service. His will-
ingness to risk and ultimately sacrifices, his life to aid his comrades
reflects great honor upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the
United States Army. For his gallantry in action, he was posthumously
awarded the Silver Star.
Additional Commendations and Awards:
Purple Heart
Combat Infantryman Badge Marksmanship Badge
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Army Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2025: New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately