SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11
(By Senators Ross, Helmick, Minear, Anderson, Minard, Prezioso,
Edgell, Dittmar, Sharpe, Fanning, Ball, Love, Dawson, Hunter,
Mitchell, Oliverio, Unger, McCabe and Kessler)
Requesting the Division of Highways name the I-64 bridge across the
Greenbrier River the "PFC Ralph E. Pomeroy, Korean War
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Ralph E. Pomeroy was born March 26, 1930, at
Quinwood, Greenbrier County; and
Whereas, Private First Class Pomeroy, while serving as a
member of Company E, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division,
was seriously wounded by an enemy missile in North Korea on July 6,
1952, and returned to duty on July 28, 1952; and
Whereas, While defending his machine gun position near Kumhwa,
North Korea, on October 15, 1952, Private First Class Pomeroy
courageously continued to fire on attacking enemy troops so that
his comrades could consolidate their position. Seriously wounded,
he continued firing at the enemy and when out of ammunition, he engaged the enemy in hand-to- hand combat until mortally wounded;
and
Whereas, Private First Class Pomeroy was awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart posthumously for
his leadership and great valor; and
Whereas, In accordance with General Order No. 97, dated
December 30, 1953, the following citation was issued: "PFC Pomeroy,
a machine gunner with Co. E, distinguished himself by conspicuous
gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty
in action against the enemy. While his comrades were consolidating
on a key terrain feature, he manned a machine gun at the end of a
communications trench on the forward slope to protect the platoon
flank and prevent a surprise attack. When the enemy attacked
through a ravine leading directly to his firing position, he
immediately opened fire on the advancing troops, inflicting a heavy
toll in casualties and blunting the assault. At this juncture the
enemy directed intense concentrations of artillery and mortar fire
on his position in an attempt to neutralize his gun. Despite
withering fire and bursting shells, he maintained his heroic stand and poured crippling fire into the ranks of the hostile force until
a mortar burst severely wounded him and rendered the gun mount
inoperable. Quickly removing the hot, heavy weapon, he cradled it
in his arms and, moving forward with grim determination, raking the
attacking forces with a hail of fire. Although wounded a second
time, he pursued his relentless course until his ammunition was
expended within ten feet of the foe and then using the machine gun
as a club, he courageously closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand
combat until mortally wounded. PFC Pomeroy's consummate valor,
inspirational actions and supreme sacrifice enabled the platoon to
contain the attack and maintain the integrity of the perimeter,
reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the noble
traditions of the military service."; and
Whereas, Private First Class Pomeroy represents well all
Greenbrier County veterans who have served their country;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways
name the I-64 bridge across the Greenbrier River the "PFC Ralph E.
Pomeroy, Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Memorial Bridge"; 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, to each of PFC Pomeroy's surviving
siblings and to the capitol press corp.