SOC JASON R. FREIWALD MEM. HWY H.B. 4731:
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 4731 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Yaroch
House Committee: Transportation
Ways and Means
Senate Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of Highway M-53 in Macomb County between 31 Mile Road and 32 Mile Road as the "SOC Jason R. Freiwald Memorial Highway".
Currently, the portion of Highway M-53 in Macomb County between 31 Mile Road and 32 Mile Road is known as the "Chief Petty Officer Jason Freiwald Memorial Highway". Under the bill, the portion of Highway described above instead would be known as the "SOC Jason R. Freiwald Memorial Highway".
BACKGROUND
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SOC) Jason Freiwald was born in Utica, Michigan. He graduated from Armada High School and enlisted in the Navy on April 25, 1996. He eventually graduated from the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center, Dam Neck, Virginia, and then reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training. After graduating from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, he completed Basic Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia.
He served on SEAL Team 5 for two years at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California, and then on SEAL Team 3 at the same location. During this time, he completed numerous qualifications to prepare him for combat, including sniper training, Arabic, and tactical rock climbing, among others. SOC Freiwald distinguished himself during deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In March 2005, he transferred from SEAL Team 3 to the demanding selection and training of the Naval Special Warfare Tactical Development and Evaluation program.
On September 12, 2008, SOC Freiwald sustained fatal injuries while conducting a top-secret combat operation in Afghanistan. According to testimony before the House Transportation Committee, he was the lead breach on the team, and sustained his injuries after entering the compound and engaging in battle. He was 30 years old. Freiwald was a highly decorated SEAL combat veteran; his decorations included the Bronze Star; Joint Service Commendation Medal; two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal; the Combat Action ribbon, and numerous personal, unit, and campaign medals.
Legislative Analyst: Tyler VanHuyse
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Michael Siracuse
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.