82R19202 RYA-D
By: Gooden H.R. No. 2281
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, U.S. Air Force Major General (Ret.) Paul E. Landers,
Jr., served his country with distinction during his exceptional
31-year career in the military; and
WHEREAS, Born near Seminole, Oklahoma, in 1939, Paul Landers
graduated from Hobbs High School in Hobbs, New Mexico, in 1957; he
attended the University of New Mexico before enrolling at the U.S.
Air Force Academy, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in
1962; he later completed a master's degree in public administration
at Auburn University; and
WHEREAS, After being commissioned as a second lieutenant in
1962, Paul Landers trained as a pilot at Moody Air Force Base,
Georgia, and he remained at Moody as a flight instructor and
examiner until 1967, when he was sent to South Vietnam; while
serving in the Vietnam War, he flew 375 combat missions as a forward
air controller supporting the 9th Infantry Division of the U.S.
Army; and
WHEREAS, Following his service in Vietnam, General Landers
was assigned as an exchange instructor with the 2nd Flying Training
School, Moose Jaw, Canada; he returned to the United States in 1970
and continued to advance within the ranks of the air force; his
assignments included service as a plans officer with the 438th
Military Airlift Wing at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, and
work with the Coordinated Actions Plans Division of the Office of
the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters
U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.; in addition, he served as deputy
chief of the Policy Analysis Group with the Office of the Secretary
of the Air Force, as deputy commander for operations of the 438th
Military Airlift Wing, as deputy chief of staff for operations,
21st Air Force, at McGuire Air Force Base, and as vice commander of
the 437th Military Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South
Carolina; and
WHEREAS, In July 1983, General Landers took command of the
437th Military Airlift Wing; he later held appointments as the
commandant of Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base,
Alabama, as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans, Headquarters
Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, and as director of
manpower and organization at air force headquarters; on August 1,
1989, he received promotion to the rank of major general; during
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he served as commander
of the 21st Air Force, Military Airlift Command, at McGuire Air
Force Base, and in this capacity he was responsible for airlift
operations to the Persian Gulf; he retired from the air force on
June 1, 1993, as deputy chief of staff, operations and
transportation, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, at Scott Air
Force Base, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed officer received extensive leadership
training through the Squadron Officer College, the Air Command and
Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces;
moreover, he completed the Program for Senior Executives in
National and International Security at the John F. Kennedy School
of Government at Harvard University; and
WHEREAS, Among the many decorations conferred on General
Landers by the air force are the Distinguished Service Medal, the
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying
Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak
leaf cluster, the Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force
Commendation Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
with two silver stars; he is also the recipient of the Order of the
Sword, which is the highest award that can be bestowed by the air
force enlisted force; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his three decades in the United States
Air Force, Major General Landers demonstrated exceptional
leadership, valor, and devotion to duty, and he is indeed worthy of
special recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commend Major General (Ret.) Paul E. Landers,
Jr., for his outstanding military service and extend to him sincere
best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Major General Landers as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.