MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tate, McCaughn, Seymour, DeBar, Suber, Whaley, Barrett, Hickman, Barnett, Butler (38th), England, Michel, Moran, Thompson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS OF WORLD WAR II AND KOREAN WAR PILOT AND PRESIDENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION, BRIGADIER GENERAL SAM FORBERT, JR., OF MERIDIAN MISSISSIPPI, COMMENDING HIS MILITARY SERVICE AND EXTENDING CONDOLENCES TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.
WHEREAS, Mississippi has lost a military hero and distinguished member of the "Greatest Generation". Brigadier General Sam Forbert, Jr., 99, passed away on December 29, 2022; and
WHEREAS, General Forbert, of Meridian, Mississippi, was born February 13, 1923, in New Orleans, Louisiana. After high school graduation, he attended Mississippi State University, studying Aeronautical Engineering. He enlisted in the United States Air Force at this time, where he completed his training and flew P-51s in World War II. He was called to active duty with the Mississippi Air Guard for the Korean War, where he was a pilot with the 18th Fighter-Bomber Group; and
WHEREAS, he was named Wing Commander of the 186th Tactical Reconnaissance Group on Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian, Mississippi, from 1970-1978; and
WHEREAS, he was Past President of the Mississippi National Guard Association and was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour to serve on the Veteran Home Purchase Board from 2003-2008; and
WHEREAS, his love of flight and his knowledge of military aircraft was present throughout his military career and was used to teach flight as well as encourage many servicemen and women who found Meridian their temporary home. He was an active presence at Key Field and NAS; and
WHEREAS, after his retirement in the military, General Forbert maintained his private business as an Insurance Agent for Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company in Meridian, Mississippi. He was a member of First Baptist Church Meridian and the Downtown Rotary Club in Meridian. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his wife, Aline Adams Forbert; his parents, Sam and Garnet Forbert; his great-granddaughter, Allie Carruth and grandson-in-law, Joseph Sanders. He is survived by his children, Steve Forbert (Diane), Charles Forbert and Lisa Forbert; his grandchildren: Albree Florey (Scotty), Leslie Carruth (Bill), Sam Forbert (Rachel), David Forbert (Leah) and Katherine Forbert; his great-grandchildren: Scottland Sanders Sutton (Levi), Arlyn Grace Sanders, Shep Sanders, William Carruth, Ethan Forbert, Liam Forbert, Roman Forbert, Jackson Florey and Addie Florey; his great-great-grandchildren: Milo Sutton and Ivey Jane Sutton; and his brother Dave Forbert (Amy); and
WHEREAS, General Forbert's legacy is a strong and free America, and for this and for a lifetime of selfless service, a grateful State of Mississippi thanks him:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss of World War II and Korean War Pilot and Past President of the Mississippi National Guard Association Brigadier General Sam Forbert, Jr., of Meridian, Mississippi, commending his military service and extending condolences to his surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of General Forbert, forwarded to the Mississippi National Guard Association and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.