HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 16

(By Delegates Gearhart, Smith, Maynor, Ellington, Cooper, Worrell, Longanacre, Butler, McGeehan, Ridenour, and Householder)

February 3, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure and then to the Committee on Rules

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 28-077/00-002.95 (SB & NB) (28A113, 28A176), (37.30200, -81.09395), locally known as the Southbound and Northbound East River Bridge, carrying Interstate 77 over the East River, NS RR,CO 38/5  in Mercer County, the "U. S. Army Staff Sgt. James Ira "Junior" Spurrier Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, The sons and daughters of Mercer County and indeed, all of West Virginia, have a long-standing tradition of answering our nation's call when the United States is threatened by enemies both foreign and domestic. Those who answer the call along with their families can honestly say that combat in war changes men and women forever. The reality of war is hell for those who serve, and more often than not, the transition into peace in our time proves to be a challenging endeavor; and

Whereas, Staff Sgt. James Ira "Junior" Spurrier was born in Crestwood, Virginia on December 14, 1922, to James Ira Sr. and Ruby Lee (Nuckles) Spurrier. Staff Sgt. Spurrier helped support his siblings and moved often while his family sought job opportunities during the Great Depression. Staff Sgt. Spurrier's family was living in Bluefield, West Virginia's East End when he joined the Army in 1940; and

Whereas, Staff Sgt. Spurrier joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to our nation during World War II and was deployed to the Pacific Theater in 1942. After being wounded in combat on both hands on September 21, 1943, during a battle at New Guinea, he came back to the U.S. and recovered from his wound in New England.  Still desiring to serve his country, he was assigned to the 35th Infantry Division, 134 the Infantry Regiment, and was sent to the European Theater of the war in 1944; and

Whereas, In September 1944, Junior Spurrier earned the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart for his heroic leadership during a one-man assault on a heavily fortified enemy position near Lay-Saint-Christophe, France; and

Whereas, Staff Sgt. Spurrier earned the Congressional Medal of Honor and similar medals from France and Belgium for his gallantry during Company G's advance on the village of Achain, France. Staff Sgt. Spurrier circled around to the rear of the village by himself and singlehandedly assaulted numerous enemy positions during an intense 24 hour-long battle by using American and captured German weapons and ammunition. He forced the enemy to retreat into a barn filled with hay and barrels of fuel, then set the barn on fire, and killed or captured several Nazi soldiers and one officer. Over the course of these two battles, Staff Sgt. Spurrier accounted for 36 enemy casualties and 32 captured prisoners, earning the nickname "Task Force Spurrier"; and

Whereas, Staff Sgt Spurrier's actions showed unbelievable courage and bravery and was called a "One Man Army" in the days during the Allied forces push through France on their way to Germany and to end World War II. Upon his return home, Staff Sgt. Spurrier was honored with a parade in Bluefield that drew a crowd estimated at 30,000 people; and

Whereas, Like many of the returning veterans from World War II, he couldn't simply "pack up his troubles in his old kit bag and smile." Instead, the civilian Junior Spurrier fought demons few people other than combat veterans could imagine. Spurrier encountered numerous brushes with the law, and even hocked his Medal of Honor to cover a bar tab in Huntington, according to his friend and co-Medal of Honor recipient, Woody Williams; and

Whereas, Staff Sgt. Spurrier briefly played as pitcher of the Galax Leafs baseball team, then reenlisted in the military and served during the Korean War. In later life, he operated a radio and television repair business and subsequently retired to eastern Tennessee. Staff Sgt. Spurrier passed away on February 25, 1984, and was laid to rest in Mountain Home National Cemetery in Tennessee; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Ira "Junior" Spurrier and his/her 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 28-077/00-002.95 (SB & NB) (28A113, 28A176), (37.30200, -81.09395), locally known as the Southbound and Northbound East River Bridge, carrying Interstate 77 over the East River, NS RR,CO 38/5  in Mercer County, the U. S. Army Staff Sgt. James Ira "Junior" Spurrier 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. Army Staff Sgt. James Ira "Junior" Spurrier 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.