As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 447
2023-2024
Senator Chavez
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the late Harold Dean Pittis on his reinterment.
WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the 135th General Assembly 1
of Ohio extend posthumous recognition to Harold Dean Pittis on the 2
reinterment of his remains at Greenmont Union Cemetery in Freeport; 3
and 4
WHEREAS, A Technician Fifth Grade in the U.S. Army during World 5
War II, Harold Pittis was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 318th 6
Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, and he was killed in the 7
line of duty on February 8, 1954. Originally buried among the unknowns 8
in the North African American Cemetery in Tunisia, his remains were 9
exhumed in 2022 by the U.S. Department of Defense and the American 10
Battle Monuments Commission for forensic analysis and comparison. 11
Through the meticulous efforts of a team of scientists, he was 12
successfully identified, and he has finally returned home to Freeport. 13
It is just and fitting that this solemn occasion be acknowledged; and 14
WHEREAS, The heroic traditions of this country’s armed forces are 15
an important part of American history, and we, as loyal citizens, must 16
be forever grateful and proud of the exemplary efforts of veterans 17
such as Harold Pittis, who made noble sacrifices to defend our freedom 18
and our way of life. Deservedly, he has assumed a privileged place in 19
the historic lineage of which every veteran is such an important part; 20
and 21
WHEREAS, Harold Pittis’ devotion to our country, as well as his 22
selfless commitment to the welfare of others, distinguished him as an 23
outstanding human being and a leading citizen, and the ultimate 24
sacrifice he made to defend the ideals of democracy will stand as a 25
monument to his personal character. It is our sincere hope that his 26
memory will be a source of comfort to those who loved and cherished 27
S. R. No. 447 Page 2
As Introduced
him; therefore be it 28
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 135th General 29
Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, salute the return of 30
the late Harold Dean Pittis to his family and praise his legacy of 31
service; and be it further 32
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly 33
authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of the late Harold 34
Dean Pittis. 35