TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF ALTON HASKELL EARGLE, SR., OF NEWBERRY COUNTY, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Alton Haskell Eargle, Sr., at the age of ninety-two in the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center on April 20, 2013; and
Whereas, born in Peak on February 23, 1921, he was the son of the late Alvin Hugh Eargle and Mattie A. Koon Eargle; and
Whereas, Mr. Eargle was a veteran of World War II from which he received three honorable discharges from military service spanning from 1937 to 1948 as a member of the SO #1 Headquarters Battery, 17th Field Artillery from Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and
Whereas, an expert gunner and rifleman with the rank of staff sergeant, he toured Europe and North Africa as part of the European Theater and fought in battles and campaigns in Tunisia, Sicilia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe; and
Whereas, among his numerous decorations and citations for distinguished service, he was awarded the EAMET Campaign Medal with 7 Bronze Service Stars, the American Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal; and
Whereas, after his outstanding military service, he was employed by Fort Jackson; and
Whereas, his passions beyond the military included his family, mechanics, gardening, and spending time walking in the woods surrounding his home; and
Whereas, he was a member of the American Legion, SC Post #0172; a lifetime member of the DAV, John W. Crews, Chapter 13; DAV Commanders Club; and St. Jacob's Lutheran Church in Chapin; and
Whereas, together with his loving wife of fifty years, Margaret Wessinger Eargle, he reared two fine children, Rose Marie Flint and Alton H. Eargle, Jr., and they blessed their parents with three adoring grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of Alton Eargle, a son of South Carolina and an American patriot, and for the example of sacrifice and kindness he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Alton Haskell Eargle, Sr., of Newberry County, and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the family of Alton Haskell Eargle, Sr.