SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2009 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 466
Celebrating the life of Captain, USN Ret., Frederick W. Silverthorne.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2009
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 27, 2009
 

WHEREAS, Captain Frederick W. Silverthorne, United States Navy retired, former mayor of Fairfax, died on February 6, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Frederick Silverthorne was born on July 9, 1918, in Buffalo, New York, and was raised in Chicago, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, after attending the University of Illinois and completing advanced studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Frederick Silverthorne attended the Navy General Line School and the Naval War College; and

WHEREAS, as a naval aviator and Squadron and Air Group commander, Captain Silverthorne bravely fought in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, Captain Silverthorne earned several medals and commendations for his bravery including the Distinguished Flying Cross; five air medals; two Navy Unit Citations; the National Defense Service Medal; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam); the Asiatic Campaign Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; the Philippines Services Medal; the Pre-Pearl Harbor Service Medal; the American Defense Service Medal; and the Korean Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Captain Silverthorne retired from the Navy in 1968 after 27 years of exemplary service and joined the National Security Industrial Association, where he specialized in anti-submarine warfare for 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Captain Silverthorne moved to the City of Fairfax in 1962 and generously volunteered his time to the city at a time when it was experiencing rapid growth as a suburb of metropolitan Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Captain Silverthorne gave of his time and talents as a member of the City of Fairfax’s Planning Commission and as chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, Captain Silverthorne was elected to the Fairfax City Council in 1974, elected mayor of the City of Fairfax in 1978, and re-elected mayor in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Captain Silverthorne was mayor at the time when the City of Fairfax was feuding with Fairfax County over the city’s independence, and he was elected on a platform of preserving ties with Fairfax County, including its school system; and

WHEREAS, a man of commitment, dedication, and integrity, Captain Silverthorne leaves behind a legacy of service to his country, community, and family that all can emulate; and

WHEREAS, Captain Silverthorne will be sorely missed by his loving wife of 65 years, Bette; children Craig, Scott, Janet, and Nanci and their families; and his many friends and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a dedicated public servant and outstanding Virginian, Captain, USN Ret., Frederick W. Silverthorne; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Captain, USN Ret., Frederick W. Silverthorne as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.