HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4670

HR 4670

ByRepresentative Corry

WHEREAS, Upon earning his wings in December 1943, United States Army Air Forces veteran Captain Richard "Dick" Alan Nelms served in the European Theater during World War II as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress copilot and pilot, assigned to the 447th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, based out of Rattlesden, Suffolk County, England; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelms flew 35 missions into Nazi-occupied territories, including Germany and France, sustaining combat damage in 25 of those missions, and helped create and coordinate food and supply drops to the Marquis Freedom Fighters in France and others; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelms earned multiple awards of valor for his service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals, the Presidential Unit Citation, the French Legion of Honor Medal, and received a Certificate of Special Recognition for participation in the Battle of Normandy and the liberation of France and Europe; and

WHEREAS, Following the war, Dick Nelms established a successful freelance commercial art business, including a job with the King County Library System in the 1970s, and served as an art director for the next 45 years in the Seattle area; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelms was commissioned in 1967 to create a new Washington State Seal insignia, selecting a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington for the design, which was accepted and made the official State Seal by the Legislature; and

WHEREAS, After launching his volunteer service at the Museum of Flight in March 2016, Dick Nelms has regularly shared personal stories of how he and his fellow pilots and servicemembers handled the fear and horrors of war with thousands of Museum visitors from around the globe, as well as his sense of pride for "putting a dent in Hitler's war machine"; and

WHEREAS, As part of his Museum volunteer work, Dick has shared his wartime experience in the local community and at engagements across the country with organizations, including schools, museums, community centers, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and at the Air Force Ball celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, On February 17, 2023, Dick Nelms celebrated his 100th Birthday at The Museum of Flight;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor Mr. Dick Nelms for his significant contributions to our state and country.