79R9537 JHS-D

By:  Hughes                                                       H.R. No. 871



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, U.S. Army Air Corps and Air Force veteran Bill 
Palmer bravely and proudly served his country during World War II, 
flying nearly 60 missions, and he is most deserving of praise for 
his heroism and patriotism; and
	WHEREAS, Spurred to duty after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 
young Bill Palmer secured a spot in the U.S. Army Air Corps flight 
program through ingenuity and initiative, an endeavor that enabled 
him to achieve his long-sought dream of learning to fly; after 
completing his initial training, he was assigned to Columbia, South 
Carolina, in the fall of 1943 to train in the North American B-25 
Mitchell Bomber, a medium-sized twin-engine plane; and
	WHEREAS, After completing his B-25 training, then-Lieutenant 
Palmer hopscotched a bomber in 1,500-mile increments from Georgia 
to Tunisia, where he was assigned to the 489th Bombardment Squadron 
of the 340th Bombardment Group of the 57th Bomb Wing in the 12th Air 
Force; he flew several missions in Africa and also supported troops 
as they took control of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica; later, he 
participated in numerous strategic bombing raids designed to 
disrupt the enemy's ability to supply its troops; and
	WHEREAS, During the course of his years of service in Africa 
and Europe, he was promoted from lieutenant to captain to major; 
while stationed in Italy, he was twice shot down by antiaircraft 
fire and was forced to crash-land in enemy territory; he spent many 
weeks behind enemy lines, but thanks to the aid of Italian 
partisans, he was able to find his way back to the relative safety 
of Allied territory; and
	WHEREAS, This skilled pilot retired from the U.S. Air Force 
Reserve as a colonel in the 1960s, and he maintains his love of 
flying to this day; his courage and valor earned him two 
Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and two 
Purple Hearts, while his willingness to risk his life in defense of 
freedom and democracy has earned him the lasting respect of a 
nation; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Colonel Bill Palmer for his superlative 
career with the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force Reserve and 
commend him for his exemplary service in battle during World War II; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Colonel Palmer as an expression of highest regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.