SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 5

(By Senators Azinger, Stollings, Lindsay, and Jeffries)

[Introduced January 12, 2022]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 54-068/00-009.73 (54A259), (39.19674, -81.65356) locally known as Race Track Bridge, carrying WV Route 68 over the North Fork of Lee Creek in Wood County, the “U.S. Marine Corps CPL James ‘Bud’ Cox Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, James “Bud” Cox was born on May 25, 1946, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the son of James Blake Cox and Betty Jane Cox; and

Whereas, James “Bud” Cox and his lifelong friend, Joseph A. Memel grew up playing under the bridge located at WV Route 68 South across from the local racetrack, which is now being replaced with the bridge being requested herein to be named in honor of James; and

Whereas, James “Bud” Cox graduated from Parkersburg High School with the Class of 1965. While in high school he was a member of the woodworking club and a student in home room #120; and

Whereas, James “Bud” Cox and his friend, Joseph A. Memel, enlisted together in the U.S. Marines on December 14, 1965. James “Bud” Cox took his boot camp training at Parris Island and infantry training at Camp Lejuene. He was stationed in Cuba before being issued orders for Vietnam; and

Whereas, When CPL James “Bud” Cox arrived in Vietnam on May 14, 1967, he was assigned to Weapons with 3rd Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division; and

Whereas, CPL James “Bud” Cox received shrapnel wounds to his leg from a mortar round on May 24, 1967, in the vicinity of Gio Linh District. He was medevacked to and recovered aboard the USS Princeton, and returned to the field June 10, 1967; and

Whereas, On December 28, 1967, CPL James “Bud” Cox was serving as a machine gun squad leader with the E Company Weapons Platoon, 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines. Echo Company was conducting a sweep of Quang Nam Province when they made heavy contact with a large force with the North Vietnamese Army Corps and he was fatally wounded by a mine/booby trap during combat at LZ Hawk, Bao An Dong, Go Noi Island, during Operation Auburn. Where he later died from his wounds; and

Whereas, At the time of his death, CPL James “Bud” Cox was 21 years old and had served in Vietnam for seven months and 14 days. For his very short time of service, he received two Purple Hearts for his courageous acts of valor; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Marine Corps CPL James “Bud” Cox and his sacrifice 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 54-068/00-009.73 (54A259), (39.19674, -81.65356) locally known as Race Track Bridge, carrying WV Route 68 over the North Fork of Lee Creek in Wood County, the “U.S. Marine Corps CPL James ‘Bud’ Cox Memorial 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 “U.S. Marine Corps CPL James “Bud” Cox Memorial 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.