HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 90

(By Delegates Moore, P. White, Gearheart, Ellington and Blackwell)

[February 24, 2016 ]

Requesting the Division of Highways name Bridge Number 24-52/1-9.91 (24xxx) (37.44743, -81.70214) locally known as Roderfield Bridge carrying County Route 52/1 over Tug Fork in Roderfield, McDowell County, the "U. S. Army CPL Fon Mitchell Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Fon Mitchell was born November 3, 1930, in Pile County, Kentucky, the son of Bill and Liza Mitchell. He joined the United States Army on June 20, 1949, and was sent to Korea in August, 1950.  He was an assistant machine gunner.  Wounded in the left foot, he was sent to a hospital in Japan and then back to the firing lines where he was captured on December 1, 1950.  He spent the next 28 months and 21 days as a prisoner of war and listed as missing in action.  He was detained in camps along the Yellow River.  He was released on April 21, 1953, after enduring the “Death March” and other cruelties.  Fon Mitchell received the Korean Service Medal W/4 Bronze camp Stars, United Nations Service Medal CIB Good Conduct  Medal, Purple Heart Medal W/1 Oak Leaf Cluster and a Bronze Star Medal; and

Whereas, Returning to his now home town of Roderfield in McDowell County, Fon worked as a coal miner for U. S. Steel at Gary, West Virginia.  He was married to Helen “Shorty” Mitchell for 57 years.  They had three children, Fonda Walker of Roderfield, Billy of Charlotte, North Carolina and Diana Hanshaw of Roderfield.  Fon died on January 30, 2011.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 8, VFW Post 8413, United Mine Workers of America, Local Union 7635, Disabled Americans Veterans, Ex POW Organization, 40 & 8 Organization of Welch and the American Cancer Society of Miracle Marchers Relay for Life Team and he was one of the organizers who formed the Roderfield Volunteer Fire Department; and

Whereas, CPL Fon Mitchell served his country, state and community with distinction.  He was a loving husband and father who was proud of his family and his country.  He was a survivor of the war fought by America’s “Greatest Generation”.  Naming this bridge in McDowell County for him is an appropriate recognition of his service to his state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name Bridge Number 24-52/1-9.91 (24xxx) (37.44743, -81.70214) locally known as Roderfield Bridge carrying County Route 52/1 over Tug Fork in Roderfield, McDowell County, the "U. S. Army CPL Fon Mitchell 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. Army CPL Fon Mitchell Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the surviving family members of CPL Fon Mitchell.