COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9(By Delegates Perry and Staggers)

Requesting that bridge number 45-64-142.92 (45A064,45A065) on Interstate 64 in Summers County, West Virginia, the “U.S. Army S/SGT Raymond Lawrence Berry Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Staff Sergeant Berry was born in Fire Creek, Fayette County on July 31, 1924; and

    Whereas, Staff Sergeant Berry was the youngest child of eight that were born to Marion Lewis Berry and Ethel Ray Haley Berry; and

    Whereas, Like his three older brothers before him, Staff Sergeant Raymond Lawrence Berry enlisted in the United States Army on April 10, 1943 at the age of 19; and

    Whereas, Staff Sergeant Berry was sent to Germany to fight for our country where, beginning January 23, 1945, he flew at least eighteen missions as an engineer/top turret gunner with the 527th Squadron; and

    Whereas, On March 24, 1945 Staff Sergeant Berry was in a B-17 bomber along with eight of his fellow servicemen. The aircraft was hit by flak over the target which set the right wing on fire. The aircraft went into a spin before exploding. For a time he was listed as missing in action. However, later the family was informed that Staff Sergeant Berry was among the six that were killed in action on that date; and

    Whereas, After the war, Staff Sergeant Berry’s body was recovered and sent home to his family. He was finally laid to rest on September 24, 195O in the Harrah Cemetery on Backus Mountain in Fayette County just a few feet from his father who passed away in 1948; and

    Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate this native son who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his state and his country; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 45-64-142.92 (45A064,45A065) on Interstate 64 in Summers County, West Virginia, the “U.S. Army S/SGT Raymond Lawrence Berry Memorial 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 “U.S. Army S/SGT Raymond Lawrence Berry Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, and his great-niece, Robin Adkins Wheeler.