HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 28

(By Delegates Boggs and Westfall)

[January 26, 2022]

Requesting the Division of Highways name Bridge Number: 04-04-17.86(04A012), (38.675115,80.77095) locally known as Upper Gassaway Bridge, carrying WV 4 over the Elk River in Braxton county, the “U.S. Army Captain Billy Jake Smith Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Captain Billy Jake Smith was born February 5, 1938, in Gassaway, Braxton County, West Virginia. He graduated from Gassaway High School in 1958, and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as an enlisted man from 1958 until 1966. He was commissioned 2L/T USAR on June 21, 1966, and on June 21, 1967, he was promoted to 12L/T AUS. On June 21, 1968, he was promoted to CPT AUS; and

Whereas, Captain Smith began his first tour in Vietnam which lasted from December 1, 1966, to September 2, 1967, during which time he served as a platoon leader and executive officer with the 9^th INF DIV. His second tour in Vietnam began May 17, 1969, and lasted until his death on February 12, 1970. At the time of his death, he was serving as Deputy District Senior Advisor of Long Thank District; and

Whereas, Captain Billy Jake Smith was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (1^st Award). Parachutist Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/60^th Device, one Overseas Bar. two Purple Hearts, and Bronze Star Medal w/V Device; and

Whereas, Captain Billy Jake Smith was survived by his wife Joan and his three children, Elizabeth, Patrick, and Jeffery, all of Mohawk, New York, and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Glen W. Smith of Gassaway, West Virginia; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Army Captain Billy Jake Smith and his contributions to our State and supreme sacrifice to his country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name Bridge Number: 04-04-17.86(04A012), (38.675115,80.77095) locally known as Upper Gassaway Bridge, carrying WV 4 over the Elk River in Braxton County, the “U.S. Army Captain Billy Jake Smith 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 Captain Billy Jake Smith 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.