TEXAS MARINE MEDAL OF HONOR FUND
A 501(c)(3) Organization

Local Texas Marines have been working to erect a memorial honoring Marines who had enlisted in or were born in the State of Texas (Texas Marines) and were recipients of the Medal of Honor. Thomas R. Early, Burt Cabañas, Jim O’Connor and Bill Leigh are making important contributions to this effort. Two others, Pat Hosford and Jeff Early are also working on the project. The monument will be dedicated on May 25, 2007 in Town Green Park which in near a major mall and Waterway in The Woodlands, about 25 miles north of Houston, Texas.

The monument consists of a square base upon which will be a black granite shaped rectangle with each Marine’s rank, name, age and battle etched in gold lettering. The right and left side will have 18” Bronze Medallions of the Seal of the State of Texas and the Eagle, Globe and Anchor symbol of the Marine Corps. On top of this will be a huge Bronze Marine Eagle, Globe and Anchor symbol. The monument will be approximately ten feet high.

There are five Texas recipients from World War II, five from the Korean War and seven from the Vietnam War. These “bravest of the brave” Marines are from San Antonio (2), Claude, Ennis, Rio Grande City, El Paso (2), Indian Gap, Waco, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston (2), Abilene, Amarillo, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, and Nacogdoches. All were Texas Marines except Navy Med Corpsman John Edward Kilmer, age 21 from Houston.

The Texas Marines Medal of Honor Fund, a 501(c)(3) Organization, is in operation and is open to donations toward this project. Money has already been donated and/or pledged. However, the Fund is seeking additional funds from Marines and friends of Marines. The Mission Statement of the Fund directs that any monies that exceed the cost of the project will go toward the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and other Marine based organizations, including the Marine Corps League. The mailing address is TEXAS MARINES MEDAL OF HONOR FUND, P. O. BOX 7685, THE WOODLANDS, TX 77387.