TITLE: Commemorating the unveiling of an Official Texas Historical Marker posthumously honoring U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Thadd Harrison Blanton.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the unveiling of an Official Texas Historical Marker posthumously honoring U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Thadd Harrison Blanton.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Thadd Harrison Blanton is being posthumously honored with the unveiling of an Official Texas Historical Marker on February 25, 2023, in Gainesville; and WHEREAS, Born in Windthorst and raised in Gainesville, Thadd Blanton attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940; he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and he served as a B-25 pilot with the 37th Bomb Squadron at Pendleton Field in Oregon; and WHEREAS, In early 1942, Captain Blanton volunteered for the Doolittle Raid, a secret mission that was the first World War II attack on the Japanese home islands; serving as copilot of Crew No. 12 of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, he lifted off from the USS Hornet aboard the Fickle Finger of Fate,a B-25 bomber, on April 18 of that year; his crew completed a bombing mission over Yokohama, Japan, and then were forced to bail out over China when their aircraft ran out of fuel; and WHEREAS, This courageous aviator next served with the 7th Bombardment Group and the 341st Bombardment Group in India before flying with the 430th Bomb Squadron and then the 99th Bomb Squadron based at Pinecastle Army Airfield in Florida; from 1946 through 1949, he was the test, executive, and operations officer with the First Experimental Guided Missiles Group at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida; his accomplished service was recognized with a series of promotions, and he ultimately attained the rank of lieutenant colonel; and WHEREAS, Over the final years of his career, Lieutenant Colonel Blanton held such roles as commander of the Grand Bahama Auxiliary Air Force Base and commander of the Headquarters Squadron Section, 13th Air Force, at Clark Air Base; in 1959 and 1960, he was special assistant to the deputy chief of staff for operations of the 13th Air Force; his commendations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, First Grade; he retired on November 15, 1960, and he passed away on September 27, 1961, at the age of 42; and WHEREAS, Demonstrating remarkable heroism, Thadd Blanton courageously served his nation during World War II, and Americans owe a debt to this valiant Texan that the passage of time can never diminish; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the unveiling of an Official Texas Historical Marker posthumously honoring U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Thadd Harrison Blanton and extend sincere best wishes to all those in attendance for a meaningful and memorable event; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the family of Lieutenant Colonel Blanton as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Spiller Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 527 was adopted by the House on March 16, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House