COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 42

By Delegates Hartman, Sponaugle, Thompson, C., Brown, N.

(Originating in the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure
February 26, 2020)

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 42.219/86-001.86 (42A143), locally known as Gilman Bridge, carrying US Route 219 over Leading Creek in Randolph County, the “U.S. Army PFC David Henry Shifflet Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Private First Class David Henry Shifflet was born on January 7, 1947, in Elkins, West Virginia, and reared and educated in Randolph County, the son of Henry G. Shifflet and Marietta Shifflet; and

Whereas, On June 18, 1968, Private First Class Shifflet arrived in Vietnam where he served as an Engine and Power Train Repairman in 618th Maintenance Company, 62nd Maintenance Battalion, 45th General Support Group, 1st Logistical Command; and

Whereas, PFC Shifflet was killed on May 11, 1969, as a result of multiple fragmentation wounds after the vehicle he was riding in struck a mine while in a convey in Kontum Providence, South Vietnam; and

Whereas, PFC Shifflet was awarded the Purple Heart, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, the National Defense Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB); and

Whereas, PFC Shifflet’s name is listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., Panel 25 W, Line 55; and

Whereas, PFC Shifflet was one of several hundred West Virginia residents and one of over 17 Randolph County residents to make the ultimate sacrifice for his county during the Vietnam War.  He is buried in Mountain State Memorial Gardens in Gilman, Randolph County, West Virginia; and

Whereas, PFC Shifflet, on his date of death, left behind his father Henry G. Shifflet, his mother Marietta Shifflet, sisters: Ethel Mele, Judith Ferguson, Mary Shockey and brothers, Edward, Steven, and Timothy Shifflet; and

Whereas, The ultimate sacrifice of this brave and courageous son of Randolph County, West Virginia, requires us to honor Private First Class David Henry Shifflet by ensuring that future generations are aware of his sacrifice in the cause of freedom; and

Whereas, The Leland D. “Crow” Crawford Detachment 956, Marine Corps League, Elkins, West Virginia requests this honor for a son of Randolph County, West Virginia, who answered our nation’s call of duty; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 42.219/86-001.86 (42A143), locally known as Gilman Bridge, carrying US Route 219 over Leading Creek in Randolph County, the “U. S. Army PFC David Henry Shifflet Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and prominent letters identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Army PFC David Henry Shifflet Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

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