SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 43

(By Senators Romano and Martin)

[Introduced February 08, 2022]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 17-050/00-014.25 (17A195), (39.28950,-80.35136), locally known as ADAMSTON BRIDGE, carrying APD 50 over WEST FORK RIVER in Harrison County, the “Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue Bridge”.

Whereas, Paul McCue enlisted in the Navy, at the age of sixteen, so he could serve his country during WWII. After graduating from amphibious assault training which, he explains, helped him fight “more like a Marine than a sailor,” Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue was assigned to a Landing Ship Tank (LST).  He was on watch near the Philippine Islands preparing for an assault landing when a torpedo slammed into one of the destroyer escorts, the USS Renshaw, which had sped up to protect McCue’s LST, thus sparing the lives of the soldiers on board the LST, but killing 19 men on board the Renshaw, a tragedy which haunted him throughout his life.  Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue and the rest of the crew on the USS LST 719 continued fighting throughout the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. They participated in the assault landing on Palawan Island in March of 1945 and on Visayan Island in April and May of 1945 to help capture and consolidate the islands in the Southern Philippines and construct must needed airstrips necessary for victory in the Pacific; and

Whereas, Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue earned seven medals, plus multiple ribbons, and awards, including the Combat Commemoration Medal and a Presidential Citation from the Philippine government. Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue has demonstrated the same bravery and dedication after the war, serving as a constable and deputy sheriff, despite organized crime placing a bounty on his head; and

Whereas, Throughout his public service career, Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue monitored scanners and self-dispatched to help assist other law enforcement with criminal arrests and investigations, and fearlessly helped save the life of injured Philippi Patrolman McCauley on one such occasion; and

Whereas, Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue has received a commendation from U.S. Senator Joe Manchin for his role in WWII, as well as his post-war efforts to educate West Virginia’s youth about patriotism and the forgotten role of a heroic group of African American soldiers, who were massacred by Nazi SS officers in Wereth, Belgium; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 17-050/00-014.25 (17A195), (39.28950, -80.35136), locally known as ADAMSTON BRIDGE, carrying APD 50 over WEST FORK RIVER in Harrison County, the “Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and to forward a copy to Seaman 1^st Class Paul McCue.