HCR 30 Text

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 30
(By Delegates Campbell, Canterbury and Crosier)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge traversing the CSX Railroad tracks and the Greenbrier River on U.S. Route 219 South, in Ronceverte, West Virginia, the "Thomas E. "Jock" Clifford, Jr., Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Colonel Thomas Edward "Jock" Clifford, Jr., was born May 19, 1911, in Ronceverte, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford joined the West Virginia National Guard at Ronceverte on November 20, 1928; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford graduated with honors from Greenbrier Military Academy in 1931, and was then appointed to West Point Military Academy on academic and athletic merit; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford starred as the center for the West Point football team, earning the title of All-American Center in football in 1935; and
Whereas, In addition to his success on the football field, Colonel Jock Clifford lettered in basketball and baseball. As a result of his superior athletic abilities, he acquired the nickname "Jock"; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford married Brownie Peters, his hometown sweetheart, the day after his graduation from West Point Military Academy; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford initially served at Fort Benning in Georgia and later as the officer in charge of the Army unit at the Cleveland (Ohio) Exposition of 1937; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford commanded the 19^th Infantry Regiment of the 24^th Division of the United States Army; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford commanded a battalion during the Hollandia campaign, which ultimately lead to the defeat of Japanese forces in New Guinea; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford was promoted to Colonel after demonstrating tremendous leadership and courage during the Battle of the Ormac Corridor; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford's seemingly limitless strength, fearlessness, tenacity, determination, and resolve to push himself and the men in his battalion to the brink of their endurance, earned him the nickname "Hell Roaring Jock"; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford was often referred to as a "real life John Wayne"; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford is considered the liberator of the city of Davao in the Philippines; and
Whereas , The city of Davao acknowledged his accomplishment by naming a theater, a street, and the town square in his honor; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford was known by friends, family, and peers as a fearless and brilliant leader; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford has named in his honor an army post in Kaje-do, Korea; a National Guard Armory in Ronceverte, West Virginia; a landing craft; and an arms rifle range; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford graciously requested a transfer from a prestigious position on General MacArthur's staff to return to the battlefield as one of the commanders of the 24^th Infantry; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford then sacrificed his life near Tamogan, Mindanao, on June 24, 1945, while rescuing one of his sergeants from a Japanese-fired artillery shell; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; the Silver Star; the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star with V and Oak Leaf Cluster; and the prestigious Purple Heart; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford's service and sacrifice earned him the honor of interment at Arlington National Cemetery; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford requested, should anything happen to him during the war, that his body be laid to rest in Ronceverte, West Virginia; and
Whereas , Colonel Jock Clifford was an outstanding World War II hero, and should be forever remembered for his valor and service to his country; therefore, be it Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name the bridge traversing the CSX Railroad tracks and the Greenbrier River on U.S. Route 219 South, in Ronceverte, West Virginia, the "Thomas E. "Jock" Clifford, Jr., Memorial Bridge" ; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and placed on the bridge signs identifying them as the "Thomas E. "Jock" Clifford, Jr., Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and the family of Colonel Thomas E. "Jock" Clifford, Jr.

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