RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, William J. Cullerton has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of eighty-nine; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A native of Chicago, William J. Cullerton was a highly decorated World War II fighter pilot and the loving husband of Elaine "Steve"; and
WHEREAS, William J. Cullerton was the much-adored father of Pamela, Cynthia, Bill, Marc and Christine, the grandfather of nineteen and the great-grandfather of eight to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, William J. Cullerton enlisted in 1942 in the United States Army Air Forces after graduating from Fenwick High School; and
WHEREAS, William J. Cullerton served with valor in aerial combat in the skies over Europe as a member of the Dragon Squadron; and
WHEREAS, William J. Cullerton was the fourth highest-rated American ace of World War II and was credited with twenty-nine hits flying a Mustang P-51 called "Miss Steve"; and
WHEREAS, In 1945 William J. Cullerton was shot down by flak and captured by a Waffen-SS officer who shot him in the stomach and left him for dead; and
WHEREAS, William J. Cullerton was found by American forces, hospitalized and returned to the United States shortly after the war in Europe ended; and
WHEREAS, William J. Cullerton was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart and the Silver Star; and
WHEREAS, William J. Cullerton was inducted into the Illinois Military Hall of Fame and the Champlin Fighter Aces Museum in Mesa, Arizona; and
WHEREAS, From 1979 to 1999, William J. Cullerton hosted the Great Outdoors Show on WGN Radio in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The courage, sacrifice and dedication of William J. Cullerton serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, William J. Cullerton imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, ...
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