HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 17

(By Delegate Holstein)

[Introduced March 2, 2021]

Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of Rt 85 South, starting at the Van Community Park of the community of Van and ending at the bridge at Clinton Camp Rd in Wharton in Boone County, the “U. S. Army SSG James C. Vickers Silver Star Highway”.

Whereas, James C. Vickers was born on February 3, 1932, in Lorado, West Virginia, the son of Watt and Desta Vickers. In April 1950, he enlisted in the United States Army and took his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He completed basic training there the same month the Korean War started, June 1950. SSG James C. Vickers was assigned to B Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and saw his first combat action in the amphibious assault at Inchon, South Korea on September 14, 1950. SSG James C. Vickers made a second amphibious assault at Iwon, North Korea on October 29, 1950, as part of a push for an early end to the war. His unit was part of Taskforce Drysdale, an action to clear a number of enemy roadblocks between Koto-ri and Hagaru-ri, North Korea. His whole unit was pinned down by a .50 caliber heavy machine gun 800 to 1,000 yards away. He took out the enemy gun, protecting his unit from taking losses. SSG James C. Vickers was wounded in action a day later in the battle for the Chosin Reservoir, in weather as cold as -32 degrees. He was one of very few in his unit that was not killed or captured in the battle, as he ignored his commander’s order to surrender and fought his way back to American troops. His actions on that day were recognized when SSG Vickers was awarded the prestigious Silver Star March 11, 2001. SSG James C. Vickers distinguished himself on many occasions and is the recipient of many awards including: The Purple Heart, Combat infantry Badge, Republic of South Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Army Presidential Unit Citation W/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Navy Presidential Unit Citation W/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal W/ four Combat Stars and two Arrowheads, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), and Army Good Conduct Medal; and

Whereas, The citizens of Boone County’s 23rd District of West Virginia, seek to honor the service and bravery of Korean War veteran and Silver Star recipient U.S. Army Staff Sgt James C. Vickers; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of  RT 85 South, starting at the Van Community Park of the community of Van and ending at the bridge at Clinton Camp Rd in Wharton in Boone County, the “U. S. Army Staff Sgt James C. Vickers Silver Star Highway”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the portion of road containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the road as “U.S. Army Staff Sgt James C. Vickers Silver Star Highway”; 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.