WHEREAS, U.S. Army Captain James M. Gurbisz, grew up in Eatontown and graduated from Monmouth Regional High School in 1998, where he was captain of the football team, played varsity baseball and served as student council president while earning a 4.5 grade point average; and

WHEREAS, fulfilling a lifelong interest in the military, Captain Gurbisz was a 2002 honors graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Mechanical Engineering; and

WHEREAS, Captain Gurbisz served proudly as a platoon leader of the U.S. Army's 26th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and was deployed to Iraq in the service of his country in January 2004; and

WHEREAS, Captain Gurbisz was a courageous soldier, and a loving husband, son and brother; and

WHEREAS, Captain Gurbisz has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty while fighting for our country; and

WHEREAS, Captain Gurbisz's patriotism and dedicated service to his country make him a hero and a true role model for all Americans and, therefore, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to mark his passing and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD J. CODEY, Acting 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 Saturday, November 19, 2005, in recognition and mourning of U.S. Army Captain James M. Gurbisz.
   
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 17th day
of November Two Thousand and Five, and of
the Independence of the United States, the Two
Hundred and Thirtieth.

/s/ Richard J. Codey

Acting Governor

[seal]

/s/ Mark J. Fleming