HR0487LRB101 13587 MST 62440 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Iceal "Gene" Hambleton, a Rossville 
3native and 1936 graduate of Wenona High School,  served his 
4country in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hambleton served in both World War II and 
6the Korean War but is best known for his 12-day struggle to 
7avoid capture by the North Vietnamese in 1972 after his 
8reconnaissance plane was shot down north of the DMZ; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, The effort to rescue Lt. Col. Hambleton, who had 
10been injured during the bailout from his stricken plane, was 
11chronicled in a book and later a movie, BAT 21, in which he was 
12portrayed by Gene Hackman; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Knowing his communications were being monitored 
14by the North Vietnamese, Lt. Col. Hambleton, who was an avid 
15golfer, used references to golf courses in the U.S.  to 
16communicate with those who were attempting to rescue him and to 
17keep his pursuers confused; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hambleton retired from the military in 
191973 and spent his retirement in Tucson, Arizona, close to a 
20golf course, a sport which literally saved his life; and
  
 
 
 
HR0487- 2 -LRB101 13587 MST 62440 r

1    WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hambleton was awarded the Silver Star, 
2the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Meritorious 
3Service Medal, and the Purple Heart; he passed away on 
4September 19, 2004; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, 1st South Street in the City of Wenona is named in 
6his honor as "I.E. 'Gene' Hambleton Street"; therefore, be it
  
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
8HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
9we recognize the life and service of Lt. Col. Iceal "Gene" 
10Hambleton; and be it further
  
 
11    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
12presented to the family of Lt. Col. Hambleton as a symbol of 
13our respect and esteem.