By: Siebert H.R. No. 561 73R8766 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Brigadier General William C. "Sonny" Lindley, United 1-2 States Air Force, retired, has selflessly devoted his life to the 1-3 service of his nation, state, and community; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born August 2, 1917, in Midway, Texas, to Carey 1-5 B. and Mary Lindley, Sonny dedicated his youthful energies to 1-6 sports, tearing up the gridiron for four years at Huntsville High 1-7 School and for five years at Sam Houston State University, where he 1-8 earned his bachelor of arts degree in education in 1939; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In 1940, this outstanding patriot enlisted as an 1-10 aviation cadet, earned his wings and commission as a second 1-11 lieutenant in July 1941, and showed unflinching bravery and 1-12 devotion to duty during 40 combat missions in the South Pacific 1-13 from 1944 to 1946; and 1-14 WHEREAS, His lasting association with the Air Force Reserve 1-15 Officer Training Corps (ROTC) began in 1947, and over the next four 1-16 years General Lindley drew on his superlative skills as a pilot and 1-17 educator as he taught courses in military science and tactics at 1-18 Western Kentucky State Teachers College, Baylor University, and 1-19 East Texas State University, where he also earned his master's 1-20 degree in education administration in 1949; and 1-21 WHEREAS, After a three-year stint as director of the 1-22 curriculum division at Air Force ROTC headquarters, from 1950 to 1-23 1953, he returned to the cockpit in 1954 and commanded the 316th 1-24 Troop Carrier Group in Ashia, Japan, until April 1956; he then 2-1 served with distinction as deputy chief of staff for operations in 2-2 the 315th Air Division in Japan for two years; and 2-3 WHEREAS, He resumed his work in the development of a truly 2-4 professional corps of officers in 1959, when he was assigned to 2-5 U.S. Air Force headquarters as director of professional education; 2-6 named commandant of the Air Force ROTC in 1961, General Lindley 2-7 continued his exceptional services to that organization and for his 2-8 efforts was awarded the highest honor the Air Force can bestow in 2-9 the field of education, the Vanderberg Trophy; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Exemplifying the finest qualities of the military 2-11 tradition, this extraordinary man was given his final promotion, to 2-12 brigadier general on August 1, 1963, and he held that esteemed rank 2-13 until his retirement from the Air Force in 1966; and 2-14 WHEREAS, During his sterling career with the Air Force 2-15 General Lindley was awarded three Commendation Ribbons, the 2-16 Distinguished Unit Emblem, the American Defense Service Medal, the 2-17 American Campaign Medal, the European-African Middle Eastern 2-18 Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three 2-19 stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation 2-20 Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity 2-21 Service Award with one silver oak-leaf cluster, the Philippine 2-22 Liberation Ribbon, and the Southern Cross Brazilian Award; and 2-23 WHEREAS, After his retirement from the Air Force, this 2-24 lifelong educator became vice-president for student affairs at the 2-25 University of North Texas and greatly benefited that outstanding 2-26 institution until 1971, when he took a similar position at The 2-27 University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA); he also served UTSA as 3-1 dean of continuing education and director of development until his 3-2 retirement in 1982; and 3-3 WHEREAS, For over 28 years, General Lindley has shared a 3-4 life of mutual love and devotion with his wife, the former Martha 3-5 Buchanan, and, now living in San Antonio, this generous couple 3-6 serve the Alamo City community as elders of the John Calvin 3-7 Presbyterian Church, devoting much of their time to the needs of 3-8 underprivileged children; and 3-9 WHEREAS, Throughout his many years of outstanding service, 3-10 both in and out of uniform, General Lindley consistently has 3-11 striven to protect and improve the lives of those he has sworn to 3-12 serve, and it is indeed fitting that his many accomplishments be 3-13 given special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 3-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-15 Legislature hereby commend Brigadier General William C. "Sonny" 3-16 Lindley, Air Force, retired, on his inspirational contributions to 3-17 society as an officer and as a civilian; and, be it further 3-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-19 prepared for General Lindley as an expression of high regard by the 3-20 Texas House of Representatives.