COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6

(By Delegates R. Phillips, Tomblin and Marcum)

Requesting that bridge number 23-16-5.11 (23A094) on County Route 16, Buffalo Creek Road at Amherstdale, Logan County, West Virginia, be named the “USMC LCPL Benny A. Gilco Bridge”.

    Whereas, Benny A. Gilco was born October 10, 1948, at Amherstdale, West Virginia, the son of Addilee and Tom Leo Gilco; and had five brothers and one sister; and

    Whereas, Benny A. Gilco and his wife, Ella Bellamy Gilco, had two children and four grandchildren; and

    Whereas, Benny A. Gilco is a resident of Accoville, Logan County, West Virginia; and

    Whereas, Benny A. Gilco enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 17, 1968; and

    Whereas, Lance Corporal Benny A. Gilco served with distinction as a rifleman and radioman in combat operations against insurgent Viet Cong forces in the vicinity of Quang Tri Province in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968 and 1969; and

    Whereas, While operating approximately two miles north of Fire Support Base Russell in Quang Tri Province on May 25 and 26, 1969, Lance Corporal Benny A. Gilco’s unit, Company B, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division, came under heavy fire from a large and well-concealed North Vietnamese Army Force; and

    Whereas, During the fire fight which ensued, Lance Corporal Gilco boldly assumed a forward position to direct accurate suppressive fire at the enemy, and was instrumental in forcing the enemy force to break off contact; and

    Whereas, Lance Corporal Benny A. Gilco particularly distinguished himself for meritorious service by displaying courage and composure under fire and by enhancing the operational effectiveness of his unit by initiative, superb professionalism and loyal devotion to duty; and

    Whereas, Lance Corporal Benny A. Gilco was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with bronze, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Vietnam Service Medal with one star, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 23-16-5.11 (23A094) on County Route 16, Buffalo Creek Road, Logan County, West Virginia, the “USMC LCPL Benny A. Gilco 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 “USMC LCPL Benny A. Gilco Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to Benny A. Gilco at P.O. Box 161, Accoville, West Virginia, and a certified copy to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.