SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 545
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Homer D. Smith, Jr.
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
  commemorates the life of Major General Homer D. Smith, Jr., who
  died March 6, 2011, at the age of 89; and
 
         WHEREAS, General Smith served the nation with honor and
  distinction in the United States Army for 36 years in an
  illustrious career that saw him save the lives of thousands of
  orphans and oversee the evacuation of Saigon at the conclusion of
  the Vietnam War; and
 
         WHEREAS, Homer D. Smith, Jr., was born February 16, 1922,
  in Breckenridge; he grew up in Ranger and graduated from Ranger
  High School before going on to graduate from Texas A&M University
  in 1943; he was commissioned into the United States Army and
  served in the European theater during World War II, helping to
  plan the logistics for the D-Day invasion; and
 
         WHEREAS, Following the war, he returned to civilian life
  for a short time before reentering military service in 1948; he
  rose steadily through the ranks and became a respected authority
  in logistical planning while serving in posts throughout the
  world, including Germany, Korea, and Italy; and
 
         WHEREAS, General Smith was assigned to Saigon in 1974 as
  Defense Attaché to the United States Embassy; during his time in
  Vietnam, he organized Operation Baby-Lift, which evacuated some
  2,000 orphans from the country, and managed Operation Frequent
  Wind, the final evacuation of more than 7,000 American civilians,
  military personnel, and Vietnamese nationals as the North
  Vietnamese closed in on Saigon; and
 
         WHEREAS, General Smith went on to serve as commander of the
  United States Army Logistics Center and as head of the Logistics
  Directorate at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty
  Organization in Brussels, Belgium; over the course of his
  exemplary career, he was awarded numerous medals and citations,
  including the Distinguished Service medal with two Oak Leaf
  Clusters, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, and the Army
  Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; and
 
         WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and compassion, he
  served the nation with integrity and wisdom, and his generous
  spirit and devotion to duty will not be forgotten by those who
  were privileged to share in his life; and
 
         WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband and father, and he leaves
  behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family and
  many friends; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Homer D. Smith, Jr.; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
  Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
  memory of Major General Homer D. Smith, Jr.
 
  Van de Putte, Uresti,   
  Wentworth, Zaffirini
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 16, 2011, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate