By Goolsby                                             H.R. No. 553
         76R10419 GMW-D                           
                                 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.