WHEREAS, Fireman 3rd Class Harold Kendall “Bud” Costill, a member of the United States Navy, was born in Clayton, New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, on December 7, 1941, Fireman 3rd Class Costill was killed in action during the attack on Pearl Harbor while serving aboard the USS West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Fireman 3rd Class Costill was listed officially as Missing in Action following the attack; and

WHEREAS, Fireman 3rd Class Costill’s unidentified remains were buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific along with 106 others killed aboard the USS West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Fireman 3rd Class Costill’s remains were only identified in June of this year and were recently returned to his home in New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Fireman 3rd Class Costill will finally be laid to rest 78 years after sacrificing his life for his fellow servicemen and his country; and

WHEREAS, on Saturday, September 14, 2019, Fireman 3rd Class Costill will be buried in Cedar Green Cemetery in Clayton, next to his great-grandfather Elwood Costill, a Civil War soldier; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the exemplary character, outstanding achievements, and cherished memory of Fireman 3rd Class Costill, and to mark his passing;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Monday, September 16, 2019, in recognition and mourning of a courageous and loyal American hero, Fireman 3rd Class Harold Kendall “Bud” Costill.

2. This Order shall take effect immediately.