RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Theodore VanKirk has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Theodore VanKirk was the navigator and last surviving crew member of the Enola Gay which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, and hastened the end of World War II; and
WHEREAS, A native of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, Theodore VanKirk joined the Army Air Force Aviation Cadet program in 1941 and received his commission and navigator wings in 1942; and
WHEREAS, Theodore VanKirk was assigned to serve in the first navigational B-17 Flying Fortress Unit in England and participated in 57 bombing missions, primarily over Germany; and
WHEREAS, Theodore VanKirk trained for the first atomic bomb run at Wendover Field, Utah from November of 1944 to June of 1945; and
WHEREAS, Theodore VanKirk was 24-years old when he served as navigator on the Superfortress that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945; and
WHEREAS, The atomic blasts that struck Hiroshima, and three days later Nagasaki, resulted in the nearly immediate surrender of Japan, shortening the war and eliminating the need for an Allied land invasion; and
WHEREAS, The bravery and dedication of Theodore VanKirk serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Theodore VanKirk will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Theodore VanKirk 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 tenth day of September, 2014, do hereby commemorate Theodore VanKirk 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 Theodore VanKirk.