H.R. No. 1427
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The history of Naval Aviation Torpedo Squadron Three
  (VT-3) in World War II is one of heroism, sacrifice, and high
  achievement; and
         WHEREAS, Assigned to the aircraft carrier the USS Saratoga
  before the war, VT-3 operated from the carrier Yorktown (CV-5) in
  1942 during the pivotal Battle of Midway, losing many pilots and
  planes; and
         WHEREAS, The following year the reconstituted squadron
  accompanied the Saratoga to the South Pacific, where it flew combat
  missions and provided air cover for American forces in and around
  the Solomon Islands; and
         WHEREAS, The squadron returned to Sand Point Naval Air
  Station in Seattle in late 1943, at which time older members were
  reassigned to other units and new members were added to the group;
  after training in various locations in Washington state and Hawaii,
  the squadron returned to combat duty in November 1944, as part of
  Carrier Air Group 3 (CVG-3), operating from the new Essex class
  carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10); and
         WHEREAS, Flying Grumman TBF and TBM Avenger torpedo bombers,
  the brave pilots of VT-3 saw a good deal of action for the next 16
  months; in the Philippines they supported the invasions of Leyte
  and Luzon, and from the South China Sea, they flew missions against
  targets in Indochina, Formosa, Hong Kong, and Okinawa; they
  contributed to the end of the war by taking part in the first
  carrier strikes against Tokyo and by providing air support for the
  invasion of Iwo Jima; and
         WHEREAS, In March, 1945, the squadron returned to the Naval
  Auxiliary Air Facility in Lewiston, Maine, where it stayed until
  the end of the war; and
         WHEREAS, For its long and exemplary service, VT-3 earned four
  Presidential Unit Citations and six Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
  Medals; Lieutenant Frank F. Frazier was awarded the Silver Star for
  his actions against enemy targets in Formosa; and
         WHEREAS, Since 1986 the veterans of VT-3 have been meeting in
  reunions, first on their old ship, the Yorktown, now moored in
  Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, and later in various locations
  around the country; out of the 94 officers and men who served with
  the squadron, 40 have been located; and
         WHEREAS, With courage and selfless devotion to their country
  and to each other, the men of Torpedo Squadron Three fought hard in
  defense of freedom, flying dangerous missions in difficult
  circumstances, and these honorable veterans have earned the lasting
  respect and gratitude of their fellow citizens; now, therefore, be
  it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas
  Legislature hereby commend the members of Naval Aviation Torpedo
  Squadron Three for their valiant service during World War II and
  extend to them sincere best wishes for the future.
 
  Quintanilla
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 1427 was adopted by the House on April
  27, 2007, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House