Sen. William Larkin
“When I was presented with the idea of establishing a National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, I was excited to take part in a project very close to my heart. Having spent twenty three years in the U.S. Army, it was a great privilege to serve my country alongside many dedicated Americans in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Some of these courageous soldiers were killed or wounded in combat and were awarded the Purple Heart, an award no one wants. I will never forget the first time I had to notify parents that their son was killed in action. The sacrifice this young man and countless others made is something that we not only need to honor, but to remember.
It seemed obvious to me that, as a country, we need a place to learn about and honor the people who have sacrificed so much for us. As a member of the Genesis Group who worked for over eleven years to establish the Hall of Honor, I am proud to be able to have a small part in ensuring the sacrifices of these brave men and women will not be forgotten.”
Senator William J. Larkin Jr. (February 5, 1928 - August 31, 2019) represented the Hudson Valley including West Point, Newburgh and New Windsor, where the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, is located as a member of the state Legislature for 40 years.
Larkin began his career in public service at the age of 16 when he began his military career as a Private in New Guinea and in the Philippines Operation of the Pacific Theater of World War II. He served in many key positions, both in the United States and overseas, and saw combat during World War II in the Philippines operation, and during the Korean War. During his military service, Senator Larkin was the recipient of the Legion of Merit, six Army Commendation Medals, and was also awarded one Battle Star for the Philippines and six Battle Stars for the Korean War. He is the author of a publication entitled “Army’s Human Reliability Program” which was published in the Military Police Journal in 1966. Larkin retired from the Army in 1967 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after a distinguished 23 year career.
Following his retirement from the Armed Services he began his political career as the Supervisor of the Town of New Windsor before being elected to the State Assembly. During his career in the legislature he served in numerous leadership positions, including Chairman of the Senate Majority Steering Committee and Secretary of the Majority Conference. He also served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering; the Committee on Local Governments (1993-1995). During his first term in the State Senate, Senator Larkin chaired the Senate Veterans Committee, where he sponsored the most sweeping changes in veterans’ benefits laws in 30 years. The new laws increased the financial protections for families of U.S. servicemen fighting in the Persian Gulf War, as well as conflicts in Lebanon, Panama and Grenada.
Widely recognized among his colleagues both in New York State and nationally for his vast knowledge and expertise about the insurance industry, Senator Larkin was elected in November 2001, as President of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators and headed this group for one year. NCOIL is a bipartisan organization of state legislators from the fifty states whose primary area of public policy is insurance. In December 2002, Senator Larkin was named one of the “100 Most Powerful People in the Insurance Industry–North America” in a special report by Insurance-Portal, a division of ACINA Technologies, Ltd. Insurance-Portal publishes “Insurance-Letter,” a newsletter read by over 43,000 subscribers in over 30 countries who work in the insurance industry.
In 2018, Senator Larkin secured $10 million in state funding that will pay for a new wing with enhanced and interactive exhibits and galleries, improved pedestrian circulation throughout the building, public gathering space, increased programming, a redesigned entrance, improved accessibility, native landscaping, more parking and walkway improvements.
At the time of his retirement, Senator Larkin was one of the last two World War II veterans to serve in a state Legislature in the United States.
Beyond his public service, Senator Larkin was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and an honorary member of the West Point Society of New York. Married to Patricia Kurucz McGuirk Larkin, the couple had eight children between them. A native of Troy, New York, Senator Larkin graduated from LaSalle Institute in Troy and also attended the University of Maryland and the University of Denver.