HR0566 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0566 LRB104 16442 ECR 29834 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the memory of Flight Officer Shirl P. Best, who was killed in action during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best was born to Oscar Best and Esther Brinker in Durand on April 13, 1921; he was one of six children; he graduated from Durand Community High School; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best joined the United States Air Force in October 1942; he attended pre-flight training school in California and advanced navigation school in Texas; he graduated as a flight officer and navigator, receiving silver wings, on July 31, 1944; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best, prior to his graduation, married Mary E. Van Etten in a military ceremony on July 1, 1944; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best was assigned to the Hell's Angels and stationed at Molesworth Air Base in England, where he flew as a navigator in a B-17G during 14 missions, one of which included providing support at the Battle of the Bulge; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best was on a mission to Lutzkendorf, Germany when his plane was shot down by enemy flak guns on February 9, 1945; before crashing, he and his crew released their payload so it would not destroy the Village of Eisenberg near their crash site, saving hundreds of lives; he remained unidentified for nearly 40 years after the end of the World War II; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best was finally identified in October 1991 when a group located the crash site of his plane and recovered the human remains of the crew members; his identity was confirmed by a wedding band that contained the initials of himself and his wife, Mary; and

WHEREAS, On September 7, 1995, Flight Officer Best and his fellow crew members were commemorated when the residents of Eisenberg erected a memorial as a token of gratitude to the crew for sacrificing their lives in order to save the village; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best's remains were brought back to his hometown of Durand to be reburied with full military honors on November 8, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best is survived by his sister-in-law, Marge Best; his nieces and nephews, Deanna Best Ralston, Virginia Best Bender, Jerry Hatton, Royce Hatton, Harlan Hatton, Carrie Prell Thorne, Lettie Prell, Joyce Deckard Anderson, Linda Deckard Darden, Dennis Deckard, Luanne Deckard Siliaman, and Jean Best Cash; and their spouses, children, and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Flight Officer Best is one of many soldiers from World War II whose legacy should always be remembered, and it is fitting that appreciation be shown for the return of his remains and that his bravery be honored to encourage the continued efforts to locate the remaining missing 3,711 Illinois military personnel who fought in World War II; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the memory of Flight Officer Shirl P. Best and his acts of valor during World War II; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Flight Officer Best as a symbol of our esteem and respect.