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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate retired U.S. Air Force
4Master Sgt. Edwin Eugene "Gene" Neeley on being awarded the
5French Legion of Honor, the highest award bestowed by the
6French government, on September 27, 2019 for his role in
7liberating France during World War II; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Gene Neeley was raised in Mackinaw and pumped gas
9before being drafted into the United States Armed Forces after
10the bombing of Pearl Harbor; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Gene Neeley began his service in 1943 as a member
12of the 5th Army, 2nd Replacement Depot; he took part in the
13Naples-Foggia, Rome-Amo, Southern France, Rhineland, and
14Central Europe Campaigns; and
 
15    WHEREAS, In addition to the Legion of Honor, Gene Neeley
16has received the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign
17Ribbon with one Silver Battle Star, four Overseas Service Bars,
18the Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal; and
 
19    WHEREAS, After ending his service in the Army Air Corps in
20late 1945, Gene Neeley returned to Mackinaw; in 1946, he helped
21found the Illinois Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Squadron,

 

 

HR0564- 2 -LRB101 14854 MST 63830 r

1which was called up three times and is now known as the 182nd
2Airlift Wing; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Gene Neeley rose to the rank of master sergeant in
4the Air National Guard; he retired from the Air Force in 1962
5with full benefits and remained in the reserve until 1984; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Since 2013, Gene Neeley has been actively involved
7with the Greater Peoria Honor Flight, which seeks to honor all
8United States veterans with a free flight to Washington, D.C.
9to see war memorials and other attractions; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Gene Neeley was happily married for 66 years to
11Mary Cooper of Tremont prior to her death in 2012, and they
12raised one daughter together; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
14HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15we congratulate retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Edwin Eugene
16"Gene" Neeley on being awarded the French Legion of Honor and
17for his many years of service to both the United States and to
18other veterans; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
20presented to Gene Neeley and the Illinois Air National Guard.