HR1153 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1153 LRB098 21375 GRL 59704 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United States Navy Lieutenant Robert Clem Allison, originally of Robinson, who passed away on August 11, 1955; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Robert Allison was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Badge; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Robert Allison was a 1946 Robinson High School graduate and an outstanding athlete; he was captain of the basketball team that went 31-3, qualifying for State; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Lt. Robert Allison enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served for 2 years; he subsequently received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis; after graduating from the Naval Academy, he served for 18 months aboard the heavy cruiser USS Bremerton during the Korean War; he later signed up for flight school in Pensacola, Florida and was assigned to the carrier USS Lake Champlain in Florida; and

WHEREAS, On August 11, 1955, Lt. Robert Allison happened to be flying toward Jacksonville, Florida when the engine of his Banshee F2H4 jet blew out; he made an emergency landing on U.S. Route 27, near where there is a dedicated marker; he touched down and was rolling to a stop when a loaded logging truck and a car rounded a bend and were suddenly heading right at him; he avoided hitting them by intentionally soaring into a cypress swamp; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Robert Allison was buried in Illinois; his parents were notified that he died in a training accident; there is no recollection that official recognition was given to him that he had saved people on the ground; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the selfless sacrifice that Lieutenant Robert Clem Allison made so that others may live; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to William A. Jordan, Lt. Allison's last living relative and a retired United States Air Force Colonel, as an expression of our deepest sympathy and gratitude for the sacrifice Lt. Robert Allison made for our nation.