HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 73

(By Delegates Hartman, Isner, Lynch, Sponaugle and Pyles)

[Introduced March 9, 2017]

Requesting the Division of Highways that Bridge Number: 42-23-2.73 (42A045) (38.90822, -79.86085), locally known as Southgate Bridge, carrying County Route 23 over Tygart Valley River in Randolph County, West Virginia, be named the “U. S. Army Air Corps PVT William James Irwin Memorial Bridge.”

Whereas, PVT William James Irwin was born on April 20, 1923, in Elkins, WV, and reared and educated in Randolph County, the son of John and Mabel Irwin.  He graduated from Elkins High School on May 23, 1941, and was sworn into the United States Army Air Corps, June 14, 1941.  While serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a member of 27th Bombardment Group (Light), 91st Bombardment Squadron in the Philippine Islands, until he was reported missing in action on May 7, 1942, when Corregidor Island fell to Japanese Forces.  PVT William James Irwin while in captivity of Japanese forces, forced marched in the Bataan Death March and then died in a prisoner of war camp at O'Donnell in the Philippine Islands on May 24, 1942.  He was one of several hundred West Virginia residents and one of more than 20 Randolph County residents to make the ultimate sacrifice for his county during World War II in the Pacific Theatre; and

Whereas, PVT William James Irwin, on the date of death, left his father and mother John and Mabel Irwin, brothers Jim Irwin, Gary Irwin, John Irwin, Robert Irwin, Fredrick Irwin, and sister Margaret Irwin, and is now survived by brothers Gary Irwin and James Irwin; and

Whereas, The ultimate sacrifice of this brave and courageous son of Randolph County, West Virginia, should not go unnoticed and the naming of a bridge is a proper way to honor PVT William James Irwin and by ensuring that future generations are aware of his sacrifice in the cause of freedom; therefore be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested that bridge number: 42-23-2.73 (42A045) (38.90822, -79.86085), locally known as Southgate Bridge, carrying County Route 23 over Tygart Valley River in Randolph County, West Virginia, be named the “U. S. Army Air Corps PVT William James Irwin Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and placed on the bridge signs identifying it as the “U. S. Army Air Corps PVT William James Irwin, 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.