R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Lieutenant Bert Siegel of Dallas and the many brave soldiers of the 1-3 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, for the 1-4 sacrifices they made for the cause of freedom; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Lieutenant Siegel served with distinction in the 1-6 United States Air Force as a pilot with the 3rd Combat Cargo 1-7 Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group; this historic airborne unit was 1-8 hastily formed and deployed to India in August 1944 to support the 1-9 allied troops trapped by the Japanese forces in the jungles of 1-10 Burma during World War II; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The courageous soldiers flew their C-47 planes along 1-12 the aerial transport run known as "The Hump," a treacherous route 1-13 across the Himalayas that forced them to navigate through truly 1-14 horrendous weather to deliver much needed supplies to beleaguered 1-15 British and Chinese troops; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Their heroic efforts were vital to quelling the 1-17 Japanese drive to conquer China and Southeast Asia and their 1-18 outstanding safety record during this perilous operation earned 1-19 them the nickname the "Lucky Third"; the unit was reassigned to 1-20 China shortly before the end of World War II and in 1945 was 1-21 deactivated, but in 1948 it was reactivated and later redesignated 1-22 as the 328th Airlift Squadron, which proudly serves the United 1-23 States to this day; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Those individuals who have unreservedly given of 2-1 themselves in defense of their country are truly deserving of every 2-2 American's admiration and gratitude, and it is indeed fitting at 2-3 this time to pay tribute to Lieutenant Bert Siegel and the many 2-4 heroic veterans of the 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo 2-5 Group; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby honor Lieutenant Bert Siegel and the 3rd Combat 2-8 Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, and extend to them sincere 2-9 appreciation for their patriotic service; and, be it further 2-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-11 prepared for Lieutenant Siegel and the members of the 3rd Combat 2-12 Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, as an expression of high 2-13 regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Goolsby _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 553 was adopted by the House on April 23, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House