House recognizes centennial of Medal of Honor recipient Henry Breault

The House read House Concurrent Resolution 167 commemorating the centennial of Torpedoman Second Class Henry Breault’s awarding of the Medal of Honor. The resolution recounts Breault’s service, his actions in a submarine collision in 1923 and directs the secretary of state to send the resolution to the Submarine Force Library & Museum and to author Ryan Walker.

Following the reading, the member from Milton addressed the chamber to note local ties to Breault’s home of record and to correct pronunciation/spelling for the record. He invited members to a reception and thanked veterans and local organizers who helped arrange attendance, noting: "It's an honor and a great privilege to recognize a Vermont hero today." Representatives in the gallery included members of the Green Mountain Base United States Submarine Veterans and personnel connected with the USS Vermont and USS Montpelier ceremonies.

The resolution text presented by the clerk recounts the 1923 submarine collision, the rescue and Breault’s recognition by President Calvin Coolidge; it also references a forthcoming book by Ryan Walker and asks the secretary of state to transmit copies of the resolution to relevant institutions and the author.

This was a ceremonial recognition; the transcript records the reading and floor tributes and notes a reception to follow in the cafeteria.