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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The life of a decorated Vietnam War hero drew to a |
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close with the passing of U.S. Army Captain Curtis Wayne Fitzgerald |
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of Palestine on February 4, 2025, at the age of 77; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Palestine, Curtis Fitzgerald was born on |
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March 23, 1947, and he graduated from Palestine High School; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1969, Mr. Fitzgerald began six years of active |
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duty with the U.S. Army in Vietnam; piloting Bell UH-1 "Huey" |
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aircraft for the 189th Assault Helicopter Company "Ghost Riders," |
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he took part in a number of major operations; during the Battle of |
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Hamburger Hill, he flew multiple resupply missions, and in the |
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Siege of Ben Het, he completed a supply run after his helicopter |
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sustained heavy gunfire; he went on to serve as the air mission |
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commander for the initial invasion of Cambodia, and during |
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long-range reconnaissance patrols into Cambodia and Laos, he |
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identified enemy positions before returning his damaged aircraft to |
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safety; ultimately rising to the rank of captain, he flew 1,600 |
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hours in combat and was shot down six times; subsequently, he |
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volunteered for another six-month tenure in support of incoming |
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units; and |
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WHEREAS, For his remarkable courage, Captain Fitzgerald was |
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awarded the Silver Star, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Bronze |
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Star Medals, 19 Air Medals, and the Purple Heart; he was later |
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honored by U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling, who entered a |
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statement of recognition into the Congressional Record in May 2008; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, Captain Fitzgerald lent his time and |
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expertise to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans |
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service organizations, and area post-traumatic stress disorder |
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support groups; he also served his community in a number of |
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leadership roles and founded the Anderson County Soccer |
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Association; a University of Houston graduate, he established and |
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operated a real estate firm specializing in farm and ranch sales; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Captain Fitzgerald enjoyed the |
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love and support of his wife, Sandra, his son, Curtis, his |
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daughter-in-law, Stefani, and his grandchildren, Stone and Curtis; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Curtis Fitzgerald lived a rich and purposeful life, |
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and he leaves behind a legacy of service to his country and his |
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community that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of |
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knowing him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Army Captain |
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Curtis Wayne Fitzgerald and extend deepest condolences to his |
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relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Curtis |
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Fitzgerald. |