Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 52 History
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 52
(By Delegates Campbell and Canterbury)
Requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the
bridge on I-64 at the intersection of Rt. 219 in Lewisburg,
Greenbrier County, West Virginia the "Gary Wayne Martini
Memorial Bridge."
Whereas, Gary Wayne Martini, the son of William Lee Martini and
the late Ann Aldridge Martini Humphrey, was born in Lexington,
Virginia
on September 21, 1948, and moved at an early age to
Greenbrier County, West Virginia with his family; and
Whereas,
Gary Wayne Martini was raised on Germany Road near
Frankford, West Virginia and attended Greenbrier County schools in
Frankford; and
Whereas, Private First Class Gary Wayne Martini was killed in
hostile action on April 21, 1967, at Binh Son, Republic of Vietnam,
while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion,
1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
; and
Whereas, Private First Class Gary Wayne Martini was awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor
, posthumously, for his heroic actions
on the field of battle, which are duly chronicled in this Medal of
Honor Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. On the 21st of April 1967,
during Operation UNION elements of Company F, conducting offensive
operations at Binh Son, encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force
and immediately deployed to engage them. The Marines in Pfc.
Martini's platoon assaulted across an open rice paddy to within 20
meters of the enemy trench line where they were suddenly struck by
hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar
fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 Marines,
pinning the remainder of the platoon down behind a low paddy dike.
In the face of imminent danger, Pfc. Martini immediately crawled
over the dike to a forward open area within 15 meters of the enemy
position where, continuously exposed to the hostile fire, he hurled
hand grenades, killing several of the enemy. Crawling back through
the intense fire, he rejoined his platoon which had moved to the
relative safety of a trench line. From this position he observed
several of his wounded comrades lying helpless in the fire-swept
paddy. Although he knew that one man had been killed attempting to
assist the wounded, Pfc. Martini raced through the open area and
dragged a comrade back to a friendly position. In spite of a
serious wound received during this first daring rescue, he again
braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another
companion lying wounded only 20 meters in front of the enemy trench
line. As he reached the fallen Marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding his own condition, he began to drag the Marine
toward his platoon's position. Observing men from his unit
attempting to leave the security of their position to aid him,
concerned only for their safety, he called to them to remain under
cover, and through a final supreme effort, moved his injured
comrade to where he could be pulled to safety, before he fell,
succumbing to his wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, Pfc.
Martini unhesitatingly yielded his life to save two of his comrades
and insure the safety of the remainder of his platoon. His
outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion
to duty reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine
Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for
his country"; and
Whereas,
Gary Wayne Martini
gave the last full measure of
devotion to his country and to his comrades-in-arms, sacrificing
his own life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers; and
Whereas,
Gary Wayne Martini
is truly deserving of a fitting
tribute in his home State of West Virginia to memorialize his
heroic actions and supreme sacrifice; and
Whereas, The bridge on I-64 at the intersection of Rt. 219 is
an appropriate edifice to honor this fallen hero, for Gary Wayne
Martini lays peacefully resting in Rosewood Cemetery only a quarter
of a mile from the bridge;
and
Whereas, This bridge
shall henceforth stand as a permanent memorial to
Gary Wayne Martini so that his indomitable courage and
selfless heroism will never be forgotten, for as it has been so
eloquently stated, "Poor is a nation who has no heroes; shameful is
a nation who has, and forgets them";
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the members of the Legislature hereby request the West
Virginia Division of Highways to name the bridge located on I-64 at
the intersection of Rt. 219 in Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, West
Virginia the "Gary Wayne Martini Memorial Bridge"
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Division of Highways
erect a sign at both ends of the bridge displaying the name of the
bridge and designating that Gary Wayne Martini is a recipient of
the Congressional Medal of Honor; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner
of the Division of Highways, to Gary Wayne Martini's father,
William Lee Martini, and to other surviving members of his family
.