WHEREAS, Captain Wight subsequently joined the United States Army Air Corps; and

WHEREAS, Captain Wight served in a perilous assignment, flying aircraft over the Himalayas as part of a critical air bridge supplying American and allied forces in China; and

WHEREAS, losses of allied aircraft involved in this effort, known as the "Hump," reached 50 percent because of the extreme conditions and dangers encountered by these brave crews; and

WHEREAS, Captain Wight's plane, a C-46, with three other crew members on board, departed Kunming, China, on March 27, 1944, enroute to Sookerating, India; and

WHEREAS, Captain Wight's plane never reached its destination, and the wreckage of his aircraft was only discovered 60 years later on Meiduobai Mountain in Tibet; and

WHEREAS, Captain Wight made the ultimate sacrifice, on behalf of his country, taking unimaginable risks and giving his life in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Captain Wight was a committed and professional pilot and a loving son and brother, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Captain Wight's remains have only been recently identified and are only now being returned to his family; and

WHEREAS, Captain Wight's patriotism and dedicated service to his country and his fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember him and his family, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Wednesday, May 17, 2006, in recognition and mourning of U.S. Army Captain Douglas R. Wight of Westfield, New Jersey.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 11th day
of May, Two Thousand and Six, and of the
Independence of the United States, the Two
Hundred and Thirtieth.

/s/ Jon S. Corzine

Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Stuart Rabner