Committee Substitute

for

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 11

(By Senators Grady, Azinger, Barrett, Boley, Caputo, Chapman, Clements, Deeds, Hamilton, Hunt, Jeffries, Karnes, Martin, Maynard, Nelson, Oliverio, Phillips, Plymale, Queen, Roberts, Rucker, Smith, Stover, Stuart, Swope, Takubo, Tarr, Taylor, Weld, and Woelfel)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; reported January 30, 2024]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 44-119/00-011.79 (44A110), locally known as Big Lick Run Bridge, located at 38°39'57.5"N 81°23'48.9"W, carrying U.S. Route 119 over Big Lick Run in Roane County, the "U.S. Marine Corps PFC Noel Harper Fields Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Noel Harper Fields was born on December 3, 1918, to Albert and Ulva Fields in Gandeeville in Roane County; and

Whereas, PFC Noel Harper Fields enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in the summer of 1944. After completion of his military training, he was assigned as an anti-aircraft gunner on the USS Nevada, BB – 36. Prior to the deployment of the USS Nevada to the Pacific theater of operations, Mary and Carolyn, his wife and daughter, made a trip to San Diego California via train to see Noel in late 1944. This would be the last time they would ever see him; and

Whereas, PFC Noel Harper Fields was on board the USS Nevada when it joined Task Force 54 off Okinawa as bombardment began prior to the invasion of Okinawa. The ships of Task Force 54 moved into position on the night of March 23, 1945, beginning their bombardment missions at dawn on the 24th. Along with the rest of the force, USS Nevada shelled the Japanese airfield, shore defenses, supply dumps, and troop concentrations. When dawn came the next morning, seven kamikaze attacked the force while it was without cover. Even after repeatedly taking fire from the Nevada’s antiaircraft guns, one plane crashed onto the main deck of the Nevada, killing 11 and wounding 49 others. PFC Noel Harper Fields was one of those killed in action; and

Whereas, Research, crew testimonies, and after-action reports reveal that there was a good possibility that the accurate fire of PFC Noel Harper Fields's AA gun position was what altered the trajectory of the kamikaze airplane's approach. This caused the plane to miss what would have been a direct hit on the main bridge of the ship and its key leadership.  After the attack, fighting remained intense for the remainder of the day, and the crew of the USS Nevada could not bury their dead until late afternoon.  At a solemn ceremony, Noel Harper Fields was buried at sea with his deceased shipmates. For his efforts on this day, he was posthumously awarded the bronze star and purple heart; and

Whereas, PFC Noel Harper Fields's daughter Carolyn would marry and give birth to three children: Tim Kime, currently of Toledo, Ohio; Robin Kime of Gandeeville, who passed in 2016; and Stephanie Kime (Anderson), who is a current resident of Gandeeville, West Virginia. PFC Noel Harper Fields's daughter Carolyn passed away in June 2021 and his widow, Mary, passed away in 2000. Noel would never see his three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Since Noel was buried at sea, his parents, brother, wife, and daughter never had complete closure of a true funeral ceremony or an actual grave location to memorialize him. His name and date of death are inscribed with "killed in action and buried at sea" on his mother's headstone in the Gandeeville Community Cemetery; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate PFC Noel Harper Fields and his contributions to our 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 44-119/00-011.79 (44A110), locally known as Big Lick Run Bridge, located at 38°39'57.5"N 81°23'48.9"W, carrying U.S. Route 119 over Big Lick Run in Roane County, the "U.S. Marine Corps PFC Noel Harper Fields 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. Marine Corps PFC Noel Harper Fields 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.