Resolution
WHEREAS, During World War II, the United States Navy established landing platforms near Navy Pier in Chicago to simulate the landing decks of aircraft carriers in order to train airmen; and
WHEREAS, The United States Navy accomplished the task by purchasing and converting old ferries which they named the USS Wolverine and USS Sable, because those animals were indigenous to the Great Lakes; and
WHEREAS, The training exercises were necessary for pilots to achieve the myriad of kills needed for combat; and
WHEREAS, Between the fall of 1941 and 1945, 17,280 pilots were became qualified to fly over the Great Lakes; and
WHEREAS, During the course of training exercises, an estimated 22 airmen were killed in crashes over Lake Michigan and 228 aircraft still lay at the bottom of the lake; and
WHEREAS, Despite military searches for survivors during the war, the United States government has never embarked on a massive search for these lost planes, some of which could still contain remains of lost airmen; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That the United States government conduct an extensive search of Lake Michigan off Navy Pier and at other appropriate locations to locate the remains of lost airmen and to provide those remains with a proper resting place befitting the ultimate sacrifice made by these pilots on behalf of their country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a plaque be installed on Navy Pier recognizing the ultimate sacrifice of those airmen lost in these World War II training exercises; and