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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives seek to honor all our veterans, especially
4those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our
5nation; and
 
6    WHEREAS, On April 22, 1968, Major Robert Paul Riggins of
7the United States Air Force, 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron,
8was commanding a 2-aircraft flight from Da Nang Airbase, South
9Vietnam; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Major Riggins had successfully flown 98 combat
11missions over North Vietnam and was 2 missions away from
12completing his tour of duty; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Major Riggins, determined to accomplish his
14assigned mission, elected to fly despite poor weather
15conditions over the area of operations; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Flying that day with First Lieutenant William
17Chomyk of Hicksville, New York, Major Riggins' F-4D Phantom II
18(Tail Number 66-8778) was hit by enemy ground fire and was lost
19over Thua Thien Province near the city of Hue; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Major Riggins was a highly decorated military

 

 

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1aviator, having seen combat in both Korea and Vietnam; he
2earned the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the
3Purple Heart, and the Air Medal for his meritorious service; he
4was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korea
5Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force
6Longevity Award, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross - Unit Citation,
7and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Major Riggins was a native of Champaign and was an
9alumnus of the University of Illinois at Champaign - Urbana; he
10earned his bachelor's degree from the College of Commerce and
11Business Administration in 1952 and his master's degree from
12the College of Engineering in 1964; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Major Riggins was survived by his wife, Betty Sue,
14and his daughters, Amy and Paula; and
 
15    WHEREAS, We commemorate the 45th anniversary of Major
16Riggins and First Lieutenant Chomyk's listing as Missing In
17Action, hold a solemn vigil for their return to American soil,
18and give the highest honor to their courage, duty, and
19sacrifice for their nation in armed aerial combat by engaging
20enemy forces; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
22NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that

 

 

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1we, along with their families, friends, and a nation grateful
2for their sacrifice in its defense, mourn the loss of Major
3Robert Riggins and First Lieutenant William Chomyk; and be it
4further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Major Riggins as an expression of
7our remembrance of his steadfast devotion to the principles of
8duty, honor, and country.