78S40638 MMS-D

By:  McReynolds                                                   H.R. No. 210



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The family and friends of Chief Warrant Officer 3 
Wesley Charles "Chuck" Fortenberry of Troy suffered an immeasurable 
loss with the death of this valiant man in Iraq on April 11, 2004, at 
the age of 38; and
	WHEREAS, Based at Fort Hood with the U.S. Army, Chief 
Fortenberry was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 227th 
Aviation Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, and had been in Iraq for 
about two months; on April 11 he was flying an Apache attack 
helicopter on a reconnaissance mission with another pilot when a 
fuel convoy was halted by an improvised explosive device just west 
of the Baghdad International Airport; once the convoy was 
immobilized, it was attacked by insurgents; and
	WHEREAS, With their ammunition running low, the convoy called 
for assistance; Chief Fortenberry and his fellow officer 
immediately turned around to engage the insurgents, and the pilots' 
swift response is credited with saving the lives of the soldiers in 
the convoy; during the firefight, a surface-to-air missile downed 
Chief Fortenberry's aircraft; and
	WHEREAS, The son of a military family, this courageous Texan 
was born in Woodville on April 15, 1965, and graduated from Kirby 
High School in 1983; he attended Stephen F. Austin State University 
for a year before enlisting in the army in June 1984; over the 
course of his career, he served in the 82nd Airborne and became a 
Ranger, in addition to qualifying to fly helicopters; and
	WHEREAS, Held in deep affection by his comrades, Chief 
Fortenberry was also greatly admired for the many long hours he 
devoted to his work, for his warm-hearted, generous nature, and for 
the respect he accorded all he worked with, regardless of rank; and
	WHEREAS, Among the many military honors he received were the 
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army 
Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and Army 
Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters; and
	WHEREAS, Chief Fortenberry was the devoted husband of Cynthia 
and the proud father of three sons, Benjamin, Alexander, and 
Nicholas; and
	WHEREAS, Through his unfaltering devotion to duty, honor, and 
his country, Chief Fortenberry embodied the highest ideals of the 
armed services, and the blessing of his life will be forever 
cherished by those who were privileged to share in his love and 
friendship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay special tribute to 
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Wesley Charles "Chuck" Fortenberry and 
extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife, 
Cynthia; to his sons, Benjamin, Alexander, and Nicholas; to his 
parents, Kenneth Charles and Patricia Fortenberry; to his brothers, 
Shawn and Aaron Fortenberry; and to all his other relatives and many 
friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Chief 
Warrant Officer 3 Wesley Charles "Chuck" Fortenberry.