HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6
(By Delegates R. Phillips, Tomblin and Marcum)
Requesting that bridge number 23-16-5.11 on West Virginia Route 16,
Buffalo Creek Road at Amherstdale, Logan County, West
Virginia, be named the "Marine LCpl Benny A Gilco Bridge".
Whereas, LCpl Benny A Gilco was born October 10, 1948, at
Amherstdale, West Virginia, the son of Addilee and Tom Leo Gilco;
and had five brothers and one sister; and
Whereas, LCpl Benny A. Gilco and his wife, Ella Bellamy Gilco,
had two children and four grandchildren; and
Whereas, Benny A. Gilco is a resident of Accoville, Logan
County, West Virginia; and
Whereas, LCpl Benny A Gilco enlisted in the United States
Marine Corp July 17, 1968; and
Whereas, LCpl Benny A Gilco served with distinction as a
rifleman and radioman in combat operations against insurgent Viet
Cong forces in the vicinity of Quang Tri Province in the Republic
of Vietnam in 1968 and 1969; and
Whereas, While operating approximately two miles north of Fire
Support Base Russell in Quang Tri Province on May 25 and 26, 1969,
LCpl Benny A. Gilco's unit, Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division, came under heavy fire from a large
and well-concealed North Vietnamese Army Force; and
Whereas, During the fire fight which ensued, Lance Corporal
Gilco boldly assumed a forward position to direct accurate
suppressive fire at the enemy, and was instrumental in forcing the
enemy force to break off contact; and
Whereas, LCpl Benny A. Gilco particularly distinguished himself
for meritorious service by displaying courage and composure under
fire and by enhancing the operational effectiveness of his unit by
initiative, superb professionalism and loyal devotion to duty; and
Whereas, LCpl Benny A Gilco was awarded the Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry with bronze, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the
Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy
Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Vietnam Service Medal with
one star, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name
bridge number 23-16-5.11 on West Virginia Route 16, Buffalo Creek
Road, Logan County, West Virginia, the "Marine LCpl Benny A. Gilco
Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of
Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the
bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the "Marine LCpl Benny A. Gilco Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to Benny A. Gilco at
P.O. Box 161, Accoville, West Virginia, and a certified copy to the
Commissioner of the Division of Highways.