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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased 
to recognize Dr. Robert W. Gruebel, who, at a special event on 
July 2, 2003, is finally receiving the Purple Heart for wounds 
suffered during World War II; and
	WHEREAS, The long delay in awarding the Purple Heart 
occurred because the original documentation for the medal went 
down with a ship that was sunk during the war; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Gruebel is being honored at a ceremony 
sponsored by United States Senator John Cornyn's office in 
conjunction with the unveiling of the Purple Heart postage stamp 
at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Dallas; the stamp will honor 
military heroes who died or were injured while protecting their 
nation's freedoms; and
	WHEREAS, Although Dr. Gruebel entered the United States 
Navy as a teenager before finishing high school, he later earned 
a doctorate in physics and became a professor at Stephen F. Austin
State University; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Gruebel is receiving the Purple Heart for 
wounds he suffered on October 26, 1942, during the Battle of 
Santa Cruz off the Solomon Islands; serving as a gunner in a 
torpedo bomber from the USS Enterprise, he shot down one Zero 
fighter and assisted in the destruction of a second while en route
to attack the Japanese carriers Zuikaku and Shokaku; during the 
battle, he was wounded by Zero fighters from the Japanese carrier 
Zuiho; and
	WHEREAS, Robert Gruebel fought heroically in other battles 
in the Pacific during World War II, earning two Presidential Unit 
Citations, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with 
five gold stars; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend
Dr. Robert W. Gruebel for his exemplary courage and patriotism; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                          Nelson




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on July 1, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate