Georgia-2009-HR271-Introduced

By: Representatives Sellier of the 136th, Cheokas of the 134th, Talton of the 145th, Pruett of the 144th, and O`Neal of the 146th

Commending Lieutenant Colonel Earnest A. Shelton for his induction into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, a native of Adair County, Missouri, and a graduate of Brashear High School, Lieutenant Colonel Earnest A. Shelton's first flying experience was with a barnstormer in Colorado; and

WHEREAS, in 1935, he enlisted in the Missouri National Guard, earning the commission of Second Lieutenant six years later before his platoon was assigned to Alaska at the outbreak of World War II; and

WHEREAS, after serving as platoon leader and company commander during the Aleutian Islands Campaign, Lt. Colonel Shelton served as a member of the 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, participating in combat operations in France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany throughout the war; and

WHEREAS, after the conclusion of World War II, Lt. Colonel Shelton continued his valiant service with the military as a guardian of the nation's freedom and liberty, serving on various assignments in the United States, Germany, Vietnam, and Korea, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1971; and

WHEREAS, this distinguished and decorated serviceman earned such honors as the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, upon his military retirement, Lt. Colonel Shelton returned his focus to his love of aviation, earning his private aviation license, instrument and multiengine ratings, commercial license, and flight instructor certificate after flying solo across the United States in 1941; and

WHEREAS, since taking to the skies, Lt. Colonel has served as a full-time aviation instructor at the Columbus airport, teaching over 500 area pilots, conducting tours of the airport facilities for children and senior groups, organizing monthly safety meetings as the local FAA Accident Prevention Counselor, and earning a reputation as the "cornerstone" of general aviation at the airport; and

WHEREAS, in honor of his over 25 years of dedication to the Columbus airport, the road running adjacent to the hangars and aviation facilities was named in his honor; and

WHEREAS, on February 14, 2009, Lt. Colonel Shelton will be formally inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Robins Air Force Base Museum of Aviation; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Colonel Shleton is rightfully deserving of admission into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame for his many successes and the example he has set for so many, and it is both fitting and proper that we recognize this great pilot's contribution to Georgia's aviation history.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body commends Lt. Colonel Earnest A. Shelton for his induction into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame and looks forward to seeing this outstanding Georgian's achievements recognized and recorded into Georgia's aviation history and legacy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Lt. Colonel Shelton.