RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, John Pitts Spence has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of ninety-five; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, John Pitts Spence was the first United States combat "frogman" in World War II and an important figure in the training that led to the establishment of the Navy SEALs; and
WHEREAS, John Pitts Spence was the first enlisted man selected for a clandestine unit which was organized by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS); and
WHEREAS, The goal of the group to which John Pitts Spence belonged was to sink enemy ships and blow up enemy emplacements that had been erected to thwart beach landings; and
WHEREAS, John Pitts Spence also participated in top-secret missions launched from England into enemy-held France to rescue downed airmen; and
WHEREAS, John Pitts Spence was later detailed to the Bahamas to train combat swimmers for the invasion of Japan; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, John Pitts Spence remained in the Navy until 1961 when he returned to a job he previously held at Lockheed Martin; and
WHEREAS, The bravery, sacrifice and dedication of John Pitts Spence serve as an example to all; and.
WHEREAS, John Pitts Spence will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, John Pitts Spence 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 thirteenth day of November, 2013, do hereby commemorate John Pitts Spence 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 Pitts Spence.