HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 21

(By Delegates  Atkinson, Westfall, D. Jeffries, Criss, J. Kellly, D. Kelly and Jennings)

[Introduced January 21, 2020 ]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 44-79—25 79 NB & SB (34A124, 34A135), locally known as the Amma/Big Sandy Creek Bridge, carrying Interstate 79 South over Big Sandy Creek and County Route 29 in Roane County, the “U. S. Army Specialist, Four, Franklin D. Ashley II Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Franklin D. Ashley II was born September 11, 1949, in Charleston West Virginia, son of Franklin and Katherine Ashley; and

Whereas, He graduated from Spencer High School on May 25, 1967; and

Whereas, He enlisted in the United States Army on February 26, 1968; and

Whereas, He died March 21, 1969, in Vietnam from burns and injuries received while a crew chief on a military aircraft which crashed and burned; and

Whereas, He received the Army Commendation Medal (presented posthumously); the Air Medal (First through Twenty-First Oak Leaf Clusters) (presented posthumously); the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars; the Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon W/Device (1960); the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar; and the Army Aviation Badge Basic; and

Whereas, He distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight in support of combat ground forces of the Republic of Vietnam during the period October 2, 1968, to March 20, 1969; and during this time, he actively participated in more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory in support of counterinsurgency operations, during all of these missions he displayed the highest order of air discipline and acted in accordance with the best traditions of the service. By his determination to accomplish his mission in spite of the hazards inherent in repeated aerial flights over hostile territory and by his outstanding degree of professionalism and devotion to duty, he has brought credit upon himself, his organization, and the military service; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Army Specialist, Four, Franklin D. Ashley II 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 44-79--25(), locally known as the Amma/Big Sandy Creek Bridge, carrying Interstate 79 South over Big Sandy Creek and County Route 29 in Roane County, the “U. S. Army Specialist, Four, Franklin D. Ashley II 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 Specialist, Four, Franklin D. Ashley II 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.