After a short seven-month existence, the American Volunteer Group better known as the “Flying Tigers” flew their last mission in the skies over China on July 4, 1942.
Recruited, trained and led by Claire Chennault (native of Commerce, Texas), the “Tigers” were the sole source of morale-boosting news in the months after Pearl Harbor prior to the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo.
For the 46th and final time, the entire Texas delegation, nicknamed the “Immortal Forty,” cast their ballots for Woodrow Wilson for president on July 2, 1912. The former college professor came to the Democratic Convention with much less support than the favorite, Speaker Champ Clark, but thanks to the Texans he prevailed in the marathon fight for the nomination.
As president Wilson rewarded key Texans for their support. Col. E.M. House, who guided the darkhorse’s campaign, became his trusted advisor, while several other Lone Star politicians wound up on the cabinet.
That is the title of the “This Week in Texas History” column for Wednesday, July 3 through Tuesday, July 9. Can you guess who it is about?
I’ll give you a hint. He was the most famous buccaneer ever to sail the Gulf of Mexico.