|
WESTERN UNION
COPY
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
JANUARY 9, 1942
NIGHT PRESS
COLLECT
MR. R.W. SIMPSON, MANAGING EDITOR
TAMPA MORNING TRIBUNE
TAMPA, FLORIDA
IN ONE OF THE FIRST ENGAGEMENTS OF THE JAPANESE WAR, CAPTAIN COLIN P.
KELLY, JR., OF MADISON, FLORIDA, SERVING WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR
CORPS IN THE PHILIPPINES DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY AN EXCEPTIONAL FEAT
OF COURAGE AND MILITARY DARING. AS THE PILOT OF AN ARMY BOMBING PLANE
HE FLEW THROUGH A BARRAGE OF ANTI- AIRCRAFT FIRE TO SCORE THREE DIRECT
HITS AT CLOSE RANGE ON THE ENEMY BATTLESHIP HARUNE, SENDING HER TO THE
BOTTOM. HIS SINGULAR ACHIEVEMENT WILL EVER BE REMEMBERED AND STANDS AS
AN INSPIRATION TO EVERY PATRIOTIC AMERICAN. THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ARE
JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF THE VALIANT ACTION OF ONE OF THEIR SONS. IN CARRYING
OUT HIS MISSION, CAPATIN [SIC] KELLY MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR HIS
COUNTRY. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND HIS YOUNG SON, "CORKY", COLIN
P. KELLY, III, FOR WHOM PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT HAS ASKED A FUTURE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT TO WEST POINT. PATRIOTIC
AND SYMPATHETIC AMERICANS THROUGHOUT THE NATION HAVE VOLUNTARILY AND FREELY
CONTRIBUTED TO SWELL THE GROWING FUND [**] WHICH WILL ASSURE CORKY'S SUPPORT
AND EDUCATION UNTIL HE IS ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO THE UNITED STATES
MILITARY ACADEMY. THE CREATION OF THIS FUND FOR THE CARE OF LITTLE CORKY
KELLY EXPRESSES A WHOLLY SINCERE, SPONTANEOUS AND GRATEFUL TRIBUTE TO
THE HEROISM OF HIS FATHER AND SPEAKS IN THE HIGHEST TERMS OF THE WHOLEHEARTED
LOYALTY AND SPIRIT OF UNITY OF OUR PEOPLE. I HAVE WATCHED WITH INTEREST
HOW THE FUND HAS MOUNTED AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT PEOPLE ALL OVER FLORIDA
WILL WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY OF CONTRIBUTING TO LITTLE CORKY'S EDUCATION
FUND.
SPESSARD L. HOLLAND
GOVERNOR
CC: MR. WRENN MR. GRIFFIS
[** handwritten addition] generously sponsored by the Tampa Tribune
deleted in copies to w remit
Griffis
|
