COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 37

By Delegates Hartman, N. Brown, Sponaugle,

C. Thompson, Boggs and Doyle

(Originating in the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure
February 25, 2019)

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 42-21-13.39, locally known as the Spillway Bridge, near Elkins in Randolph County, crossing the Tygart Valley River on Georgetown Road, the “SSGT Thomas Gavin Hess Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Thomas Gavin Hess was born on September 1, 1943, in Elkins, West Virginia and reared and educated in Randolph County, the son of Charlie May Hess and Goldie Pauline Hess; and

Whereas, SSGT Thomas Gavin Hess was sworn into the United States Army’s delayed entry program while attending Elkins High School and following graduation on May 28, 1965 commenced active duty; and

Whereas, In 1970 SSGT Hess arrived in Vietnam where he served as an infantry Platoon Sergeant in B Company, 1^st Battalion, 501^st Infantry, 101^st Airborne Division; and

Whereas, SSGT Hess was killed on May 3, 1970, as a result of multiple fragmentation wounds after his platoon was attacked by a large North Vietnamese Army force while on combat patrol in Quang Nam Providence, South Vietnam; and

Whereas, SSGT Hess was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, the National Defense Medal the Combat Infantry Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Distinguished Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and the Good Conduct Medal; and

Whereas, SSGT Hess’s name is listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., Panel 11W, Row 91; and

Whereas, SSGT Hess was one of several hundred West Virginia residents and one of over seventeen Randolph County residents to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country during the Vietnam War. He is buried in the American Legion Little Arlington Cemetery, Randolph County, West Virginia; and

Whereas, SSGT Hess, on the date of his death, left behind his father Charlie Hess, mother Goldie Hess, brothers Clarence and Roger Hess, and sister Katheryn Hess; and

Whereas, It is fitting that we honor the ultimate sacrifice of this brave and courageous son of Randolph County, West Virginia, by ensuring that future generations are aware of his sacrifice in the cause of freedom; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 42-21-13.39, locally known as the Spillway Bridge, near Elkins in Randolph County, crossing the Tygart Valley River on Georgetown Road, the “SSGT Thomas Gavin Hess Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge as the “SSGT Thomas Gavin Hess Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.