HR0487 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0487 LRB101 13587 MST 62440 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Iceal "Gene" Hambleton, a Rossville native and 1936 graduate of Wenona High School, served his country in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hambleton served in both World War II and the Korean War but is best known for his 12-day struggle to avoid capture by the North Vietnamese in 1972 after his reconnaissance plane was shot down north of the DMZ; and

WHEREAS, The effort to rescue Lt. Col. Hambleton, who had been injured during the bailout from his stricken plane, was chronicled in a book and later a movie, BAT 21, in which he was portrayed by Gene Hackman; and

WHEREAS, Knowing his communications were being monitored by the North Vietnamese, Lt. Col. Hambleton, who was an avid golfer, used references to golf courses in the U.S. to communicate with those who were attempting to rescue him and to keep his pursuers confused; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hambleton retired from the military in 1973 and spent his retirement in Tucson, Arizona, close to a golf course, a sport which literally saved his life; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hambleton was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Purple Heart; he passed away on September 19, 2004; and

WHEREAS, 1st South Street in the City of Wenona is named in his honor as "I.E. 'Gene' Hambleton Street"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the life and service of Lt. Col. Iceal "Gene" Hambleton; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lt. Col. Hambleton as a symbol of our respect and esteem.