HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION XX

(By Delegates J. Nelson, R. Smith, Caputo, Wagner and Mofffatt)

[Introduced]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge on County Route 85, bridge number:  03-85/24-0.01 (03A167) (37.88458, -81.65320), locally known as Clinton Camp Road Bridge, carrying CR 85/24 over Pond Fork in Boone County, the “U.  S.  Army SSG James C. Vickers and U.  S. Marine Corps PFC Randall Carl Phelps Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, James C. Vickers was born on February 3, 1932, in Lorado, West Virginia, the  son of Watt and Desta Vickers.  He moved from Lorado, to Barrett, West Virginia in August, 1948.  In April, 1950, he enlisted in the United States Army and took his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He completed basic training there the same month the Korean War started, June 1950. He was sent to Japan immediately for amphibious assault training with the 7th Infantry Division.  SSG James C. Vickers was assigned to B Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and saw his first combat action in the amphibious assault at Inchon, South Korea on September 14, 1950. This landing enabled the United Nations forces to liberate the South Korean capital city of Seoul, and drive the North Koreans out of South Korea.  SSG James C. Vickers made a second amphibious assault at Iwon, North Korea on October 29, 1950, as part of a push for an early end to the war.  His unit was part of Taskforce Drysdale, an action to clear a number of enemy roadblocks between Koto-ri and Hagaru-ri, North Korea.  His whole unit was pinned down by a .50 caliber heavy machine gun 800 to 1,000 yards away.  He took out the enemy gun, protecting his unit from taking losses.  SSG James C. Vickers was wounded in action a day later in the battle for the Chosin Reservoir, in weather as cold as -32 degrees. He was one of very few in his unit that was not killed or captured in the battle, as he ignored his commander’s order to surrender and fought his way back to American troops. A little over 50 years later, his actions on that day were recognized when SSG Vickers was awarded the prestigious Silver Star March 11, 2001, in a ceremony in Charleston, West Virginia, presented by the State of West Virginia Adjunct General Allen Tackett.   SSG James C. Vickers distinguished himself on many occasions and is the recipient of many awards including: The Purple Heart, Combat infantry Badge, Republic of South Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Army Presidential Unit Citation W/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Navy Presidential Unit Citation W/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal W/ four Combat Stars and two Arrowheads, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), and Army Good Conduct Medal.  Upon his return from Korea in 1951, he met Janet Alice Price.  They were married on March 23, 1954, and have two sons, Mark and Russell, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  James C. Vickers is a proud American and veteran who enjoys speaking to service clubs, VFW’s, American Legions and schools about patriotism, military history and personal experiences. He is a member of the honor fraternity, the Chosin Few, which is for veterans who fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, in North Korea 1950; and

Whereas, PFC Randall Carl Phelps was born June 4, 1948, in Dorothy, West Virginia to Carl William and Bernice Dale Lee Phelps.  He grew up in Boone County where he graduated from Van High School in 1967. He loved baseball and played in the Pony League each summer. He was a voracious reader who teased and tormented his brother Steve and sisters, Joy, Jane and Diane without mercy.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and prior to his departure to Vietnam he became engaged to the love of his life, Grace Workman.  Becoming a Marine was a choice for PFC Phelps, who believed in honor, duty and country. His letters home documented his belief that the people he was defending were deserving of his sacrifice.   He was killed in action in Quang Tri Province, The Republic of South Vietnam, on April 8th, 1968.  He was a member of the United States Marine Corps, A Company, 3rd Engineering Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, serving as a Combat Engineer.  He died assisting wounded soldiers onto a Medevac chopper in the midst of a North Vietnam mortar barrage.  He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Military Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Military Ribbon, the Defense Distinguished Service Military Ribbon and The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. On May 23, 1986, the Academic 1 Facility at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was dedicated to PFC Phelps and seven other marines who also gave their lives for their country; and

Whereas, Naming the bridge on County Route 85, bridge number:  03-85/24-0.01 (03A167) (37.88458, -81.65320), locally known as Clinton Camp Road Bridge, carrying CR 85/24 over Pond Fork in Boone County, the “U.  S.  Army SSG James C. Vickers and U.  S. Marine Corps PFC Randall Carl Phelps Memorial Bridge” is an appropriate recognition of their contributions to their country, state, community and Boone County; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the bridge on County Route 85, bridge number:  03-85/24-0.01 (03A167) (37.88458, -81.65320), locally known as Clinton Camp Road Bridge, carrying CR 85/24 over Pond Fork in Boone County, the “U.  S.  Army SSG James C. Vickers and U.  S. Marine Corps PFC Randall Carl Phelps Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U.  S.  Army SSG James C. Vickers and U.  S. Marine Corps PFC Randall Carl Phelps 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 the Department of Transportation, James C. Vickers  and the family of Randall Carl Phelps.