SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 39

(By Senators Baldwin, Mann, Beach, Jeffries, Unger, and Cline)

[Introduced February 17, 2020]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 13-60-1.43 (13A103), locally known as Little Sewell Creek Bridge, carrying US 60 over Little Sewell Creek in Greenbrier County, the “U.S. Navy PO1 Jeffrey S. Taylor Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class E-6 Jeffrey S. Taylor was born May 18, 1975, in Midway West Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 23, 1993, and attended basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, from June to August 1994.  Petty Officer Taylor completed Hospital Corpsman training in December 1994, followed by service at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, from January 1995 to December 1996. Petty Officer Taylor attended the Field Medical Service School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from January to February 1997, and then served as Corpsman with the Marine Corps’ 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune from February 1997 to July 1999; and

Whereas, Petty Officer Taylor entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at the end of July 1999, and after completing BUD/S training, Jump School, and SEAL Qualification training, he served with SEAL Team Eight at the Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Little Creek, Virginia, from September 2000 to October 2001. His next assignment was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) from October 2001 to June 2002, followed by service at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from July 2002 to February 2003; and

Whereas, While serving aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Petty Officer Taylor deployed to Afghanistan with SEAL Team Three in November 2001. His final assignment was with SEAL Team Ten at NAB Little Creek from February 2003 until he was killed in action on June 28, 2005 while deployed to Afghanistan when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade during Operation Red Wings. Petty Officer Taylor was buried in Arlington National Cemetery; and

Whereas, Petty Officer Taylor’s Bronze Star Medal with Valor Citation reads: “For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Leading Platoon Petty Officer, SEAL Team Ten, while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 28 June 2005.  As part of a Quick Reaction Force, Petty Officer Taylor was sent to reinforce a Navy SEAL Special Reconnaissance element engaged in a fierce firefight against a numerically superior Anti-Coalition Militia near Asadabad, Konor Province, Afghanistan.  The Special Reconnaissance element was under siege from enemy fire in extremely rugged and unforgiving terrain.  Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully comprehending the ramifications of the mission, Petty Officer Taylor’s element launched aboard a Helicopter for direct insertion onto an active battlefield, ready to engage and destroy the enemy in order to protect the lives of their fellow SEALs.  While airborne Petty Officer Taylor continued working with member of his team to develop the plan of attack to support both a Quick Reaction Force and an urgent execution of the intended deliberate assault.  As the helicopter hovered in preparation for a daring fast-rope insertion of the SEALs, the aircraft was struck by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade fired by Anti-Coalition Militia.  The resulting explosion and impact caused the tragic and untimely loss of life of all onboard.  Petty Officer Taylor’s bravery and heroism in the face of severe danger while fighting the Global War on Terrorism was extraordinary. By his courageous actions, zealous initiative and loyal dedication to duty, Petty Officer Taylor reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Navel Service”; and

Whereas, In 2007 the book Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10, written by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson, was published by Little, Brown and Company. That book was the basis for the motion picture Lone Survivor, released in 2013 and directed by Peter Berg. Both the book and the motion picture told the story of Petty Officer Taylor’s last mission; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class E-6 Jeffrey S. Taylor’s contributions to our state and country, and for having made the ultimate sacrifice; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 13-60-1.43 (13A103), locally known as Little Sewell Creek Bridge, carrying US 60 over Little Sewell Creek in Greenbrier County, the “U.S. Navy PO1 Jeffrey S. Taylor Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U.S. Navy PO1 Jeffrey S. Taylor 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.