RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 94; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A member of our nation's "Greatest Generation," Robert Paul Fash, Sr., was a highly decorated World War II fighter pilot and the loving husband of the late Margaret; and
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., was the much-adored father of Mary Ann, Robert and Herbert, the grandfather of four and the great-grandfather of two to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., was a recipient of the Navy Cross, the Navy's second highest award, and the Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by the United States Congress; and
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., was the devoted brother of Lieutenant Herbert Fash who was killed in action aboard the USS Hancock in 1945; and
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., was among an elite group of ace fighter pilots credited with downing five or more planes during the war in the South Pacific; and
WHEREAS, As part of a VF-15 squadron under the command of the' legendary Captain David McCampbell, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., displayed "extraordinary heroism" during the Battle' of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines when he made a direct bomb hit which contributed to the sinking of a Japanese aircraft carrier; and
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr.'s, proudest moment came when he was able to successfully protect downed American airmen in the waters off Truk Lagoon in Micronesia by repeatedly strafing Japanese gunnery positions along the beach until his floating comrades could be rescued by the USS Tang submarine; and
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., remained in the United States Naval Reserves until 1962 and retired as a Lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., joined Corporate Aviation in St. Louis as the owner of Executive Air Transport and later became Chief Pilot of Site Oil Company and the Central Conference of Teamsters; and
WHEREAS, The courage, sacrifice and dedication of Robert Paul Fash, Sr., serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Robert Paul Fash, Sr., 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-ninth day of July, 2015, do hereby commemorate Robert Paul Fash, Sr., 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 Rorafert Paul Fash, Sr. y
Alderman - 14th Ward