RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, John Leslie Munro has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, John Leslie Munro was the last surviving member of the legendary group of World War II pilots called the "Dambusters" whose mission was to blow up dams and create flooding in Germany's industrial heartland; and
WHEREAS, John Leslie Munro participated in Operation Chastise during a perilous night raid on May 16, 1943, over the Ruhr Valley as a member of the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron; and
WHEREAS, The squadron's mission was to drop bombs that were designed to bounce over anti-torpedo nets, then sink to the bottom of the dam before exploding; and
WHEREAS, John Leslie Munro was forced to turn his Lancaster bomber toward home after the aircraft was seriously damaged by flak; and
WHEREAS, While disappointed that he was unable to drop his bomb load, John Leslie Munro remained proud of his participation in the historic mission that cut off hydroelectric power, flooded German steel factories and uplifted Allied morale; and
WHEREAS, Following the mission, John Leslie Munro became a squadron leader and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; and
WHEREAS, Returning after the war to his native New Zealand, John Leslie Munro married the former Betty Hill in 1948; and
WHEREAS, John Leslie Munro operated a cattle and sheep farm on North Island and became involved in local politics while continuing to fly planes into his 90s; and
WHEREAS, A 1955 film called "The Dam Busters" immortalized the raid in which more than half of all of the 133 crew members who participated were killed in action; and
WHEREAS, The bravery, sacrifice and dedication of John Leslie Munro serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared John Leslie Munro to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, John Leslie Munro was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, John Leslie Munro imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-fourth day of September 2015, do hereby commemorate John Leslie Munro for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Leslie Munro.
