H.R. No. 88

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed Texan and World
	War II veteran is indeed cause for celebration, and retired U.S. Air
	Force Lieutenant Colonel George C. Carruthers of San Marcos marked
	that special milestone on October 19, 2023; and
	WHEREAS, George Carruthers was born in Dallas in 1923, and he
	graduated from high school in Tyler and studied at Tyler Junior
	College; after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the
	U.S. Army Air Corps and served with the 8th Air Force, 305th Bomb
	Group, 422nd Bomb Squadron in England as a second lieutenant; and
	WHEREAS, On July 14, 1943, Lieutenant Carruthers and his
	B-17F Flying Fortress Windy City Challenger crew had completed a
	bombing mission when their plane was attacked and crashed near
	Lieusaint, France; seven crew members were killed, and Lieutenant
	Carruthers and his fellow survivors were interrogated and sent to
	the Stalag Luft III camp; in January 1945, Germany ordered its
	evacuation, and prisoners of war were transferred to Stalag VII A;
	the camp was liberated that same year; in 2010, the City of
	Lieusaint dedicated a memorial to the Windy City Challenger crew of
	which Lieutenant Carruthers is the last surviving member; and
	WHEREAS, After the war, Lieutenant Carruthers fulfilled a
	number of assignments, and he flew combat missions in Vietnam; he
	retired in 1972 at the rank of lieutenant colonel, concluding a
	distinguished career of three decades; his many awards include the
	Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the World War II
	Victory Medal, and in 2023, he was selected for the Order of the
	Legion of Honor from France for his World War II service; in all his
	endeavors, he has enjoyed the love and support of his wife,
	Dr. Marilyn Gaddis; and
	WHEREAS, Over the course of a century, George Carruthers has
	not only bravely served his nation but has also met the challenges
	and opportunities of a long life with grace and fortitude, and he is
	blessed with the deep respect and lasting affection of a host of
	loved ones; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate U.S. Air Force
	(Ret.) Lieutenant Colonel George C. Carruthers on the joyous
	occasion of his 100th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes
	for continued happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for Mr. Carruthers as an expression of high regard by the
	Texas House of Representatives.
	Zwiener
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 88 was adopted by the House on
	November 1, 2023, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House