SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4

(By Senators Stuart, Phillips, and Karnes)

[Introduced January 10, 2024]

Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of Pond Fork Road on WV 85, near Marthatown in Boone County, the "U.S. Army 2LT Eston Kuhn Memorial Road".

Whereas, Eston Kuhn Born May 27, 1919, Bim, Boone County, West Virginia; and

Whereas, 2LT Eston Kuhn served as a co-pilot with the U.S. Army Air Forces 71st Troop Carrier Squadron of the 434th Troop Carrier Group. In the early hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944, Kuhn was co­piloting C-47 43-15101 on a glider mission over the Cherbourg Peninsula when the aircraft was hit by flak and burst into flames. The crew were too low to bail out and the pilots managed to land the aircraft; and

Whereas, Everyone survived the landing, but shortly after the crew walked into a German ambush and were attacked. One man was killed and the other three were taken as prisoners. They joined one of the German truck convoys heading towards St. Lo.; and

Whereas, The convoy was later attacked by American fighter aircraft and several captured Allied servicemen were unfortunately killed, including Kuhn. He was buried by two of his crew - S/Sgt Boetcher and Sgt John Beckley in a nearby orchard; and

Whereas, 2LT Eston Kuhn was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate 2LT Eston Kuhn and his/her contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of Pond Fork Road on WV 85, near Marthatown in Boone County, the "U.S. Army 2LT Eston Kuhn Memorial Road"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the portion of road as the "U.S. Army 2LT Eston Kuhn Memorial Road"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.