1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 491 1-3 WHEREAS, The citizens of our great country are the recipients 1-4 of rights and privileges which have been protected throughout our 1-5 history by the bravery of our men and women in the armed services; and 1-6 WHEREAS, One such hero who risked his life for his countrymen 1-7 during World War II is former Second Lieutenant Herbert F. Frels 1-8 of Cuero, and his courageous acts were accorded great respect, 1-9 demonstrated by his receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The Distinguished Flying Cross is an award created to 1-11 honor intrepid and gallant service by a member of the United States 1-12 Army during aerial flight; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Headed on a bombing run from Italy on June 13, 1944, 1-14 Lieutenant Frels and his crew of nine were intending to hit a ball 1-15 bearing factory in Munich, Germany; instead, the young pilot and his 1-16 crew were shot down and crashed behind enemy lines; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Burned in the crash of his aircraft and wounded by 1-18 shrapnel, Lieutenant Frels protected his crew and inspired and 1-19 encouraged them by his personal example; and 1-20 WHEREAS, The injured young man was in a hospital for two months 1-21 and then spent 11 months in a prisoner of war camp in Barth, Germany, 1-22 until he was liberated by the Allied forces; he earned the Prisoner 1-23 of War Medal in recognition of his experiences in enemy territory; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Presently this notable patriot gives his time and 2-1 energy to organizations and veterans' groups in his community; for 2-2 many years Mr. Frels has been a Cuero school board trustee, has been 2-3 president of the board two times, and has been the chair of the 2-4 DeWitt County Appraisal District Board of Directors; and 2-5 WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Frels was instrumental in 2-6 establishing the Cuero Veterans of Foreign Wars; he served as the 2-7 first commander of the post from 1967 to 1969, was named to the 2-8 All-State Commander's Team in 1967, and was chosen District 24 2-9 commander in 1970; and 2-10 WHEREAS, It is an honor for the Texas Senate to pause and to 2-11 pay homage to one of its many citizens who risked his all for the 2-12 defense of the country he cherishes and to express its great 2-13 admiration for his valiant actions as a member of the United States 2-14 Army in World War II; now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-16 76th Legislature, hereby commend Herbert F. Frels on his reception 2-17 of the Distinguished Flying Cross for his admirable service during 2-18 World War II; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him 2-20 as an expression of the highest regard of the Texas Senate. 2-21 Armbrister 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 President of the Senate 2-24 I hereby certify that the above 2-25 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-26 on March 25, 1999. 2-27 ______________________________________ 2-28 Secretary of the Senate 2-29 ______________________________________ 2-30 Member, Texas Senate