HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 41

(By Delegate Robinson, Estep-Burton, Rowe, and Byrd)

[Introduced January 30, 2019]

Requesting the Division of Highways name Sand Plant Road, County Road 15/9, beginning at U. S. 119 and ending at Brounland Road, the “U. S. Army Air Corps SSGT Charles Dexter Duncan Memorial Road”.

Whereas, Charles Dexter Duncan was born on July 31, 1925, in the coal mining community of Olcott, West Virginia to parents Lawrence and Tressa Griffith Duncan; and

Whereas, Charles D. Duncan was industrious and forward-thinking from childhood and demonstrated these traits while maintaining a long paper route by foot; and

Whereas, Charles D. Duncan graduated from Washington District High School in 1943; and

Whereas, On November 29, 1943, Charles D. Duncan joined the United States Army Air Corps and trained at the Aerial Gunnery School in Maxwell Field, Alabama; and

Whereas, Charles D. Duncan was stationed at San Giovanni Air field in Italy serving as a belly ball turret gunner for the Liberator Squadron, 304^th Bombardment Wing, 454^th Bombardment Group; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan flew 33 successful bombing missions, eliminating strategic targets over Poland, Austria, and Germany; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan was honorably discharged on November 7, 1945, with the rank of Staff Sergeant; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan returned home to West Virginia and married Helen Fitzwater in 1949 and had four children, Diana Duncan Morris, Dreama Duncan Watts, C. D. Duncan, and Jill Duncan Novak; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan and Helen Fitzwater Duncan built a loving and close-knit family with their children, prioritizing education and instilling a desire to succeed; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan became a member of the Pipefitters Union and he helped to refurbish The Greenbrier after it was used as a military hospital; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan then worked through the ranks at the FMC Plant in South Charleston, West Virginia where he retired as a production supervisor in 1987; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan served on the Democratic Executive Committee in the 1950’s and 1960’s to work on school and road improvements for Washington District; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan worked diligently and helped establish the Washington Public Service District which provided a safe and reliable source of water to his community; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan served as an officer of the Reunion Group Association of the 454^th Bombardment Group; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan was a member of the VFW Post 4768 in Alum Creek where he honored the service of fellow members and served his community; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan passed away at the age of 91 on April 22, 2017; and

Whereas, SSGT Duncan lived his life in service of his country, his community, and his family; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name Sand Plant Road, County Road 15/9, beginning at U. S. 119 and ending at Brounland Road, the “U. S. Army Air Corps SSGT Charles Dexter Duncan Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying that portion of the road the “U. S. Army Air Corps SSGT Charles Dexter Duncan Memorial Road”; 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.