82R19202 RYA-D

By: Gooden H.R. No. 2281

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, U.S. Air Force Major General (Ret.) Paul E. Landers, Jr., served his country with distinction during his exceptional 31-year career in the military; and

WHEREAS, Born near Seminole, Oklahoma, in 1939, Paul Landers graduated from Hobbs High School in Hobbs, New Mexico, in 1957; he attended the University of New Mexico before enrolling at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1962; he later completed a master's degree in public administration at Auburn University; and

WHEREAS, After being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1962, Paul Landers trained as a pilot at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, and he remained at Moody as a flight instructor and examiner until 1967, when he was sent to South Vietnam; while serving in the Vietnam War, he flew 375 combat missions as a forward air controller supporting the 9th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army; and

WHEREAS, Following his service in Vietnam, General Landers was assigned as an exchange instructor with the 2nd Flying Training School, Moose Jaw, Canada; he returned to the United States in 1970 and continued to advance within the ranks of the air force; his assignments included service as a plans officer with the 438th Military Airlift Wing at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, and work with the Coordinated Actions Plans Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.; in addition, he served as deputy chief of the Policy Analysis Group with the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, as deputy commander for operations of the 438th Military Airlift Wing, as deputy chief of staff for operations, 21st Air Force, at McGuire Air Force Base, and as vice commander of the 437th Military Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, In July 1983, General Landers took command of the 437th Military Airlift Wing; he later held appointments as the commandant of Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans, Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, and as director of manpower and organization at air force headquarters; on August 1, 1989, he received promotion to the rank of major general; during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he served as commander of the 21st Air Force, Military Airlift Command, at McGuire Air Force Base, and in this capacity he was responsible for airlift operations to the Persian Gulf; he retired from the air force on June 1, 1993, as deputy chief of staff, operations and transportation, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed officer received extensive leadership training through the Squadron Officer College, the Air Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces; moreover, he completed the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; and

WHEREAS, Among the many decorations conferred on General Landers by the air force are the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with two silver stars; he is also the recipient of the Order of the Sword, which is the highest award that can be bestowed by the air force enlisted force; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his three decades in the United States Air Force, Major General Landers demonstrated exceptional leadership, valor, and devotion to duty, and he is indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby commend Major General (Ret.) Paul E. Landers, Jr., for his outstanding military service and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Major General Landers as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.