SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 32

(By Senators Romano, Facemire, Lindsay, Unger, Jeffries, and Cline)

[Introduced February 13, 2020]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 17-019/00-004.49(17A069), locally known as Good Hope Bridge, carrying US Route 19 over the West Fork River in Harrison County, the “U. S. Marine Corps PFC James R. ‘Johnny’ Corder Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, James Russell Corder was born July 24, 1947, in Clarksburg, West Virginia; and

Whereas, James Russell Corder grew up in a poor coal camp in Hepzibah, West Virginia, as the oldest of five siblings who described “Johnny” as their “mentor” and “protector” and a loyal brother who helped them with their schoolwork; and

Whereas, James Russell Corder moved to a 36-acre farm in Good Hope, West Virginia, where he helped his family install fencing around the property, raise livestock, and care for three large gardens; and

Whereas, James Russell Corder was known as an adventurer who caught live snakes, which he used to scare his mom, and became an expert marksman known for taking down two crows with one shot; and

Whereas, James Russell Corder enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1967 after he graduated from South Harrison High School, hoping to protect his brothers from the draft; and

Whereas, James Russell Corder served as a Private 1st Class rifleman and radio operator with the 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, I Company in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam; and

Whereas, James Russell Corder was killed by enemy fire during a reconnaissance mission on May 23, 1968, when a mortar landed next to the fox hole in which he was operating the field radio; and

Whereas, Family members were overwhelmed with sorrow when they received word that “Johnny” had become a casualty in what would become the deadliest month of the Vietnam War and he continues to be missed by his family; and

Whereas, James Russell Corder was awarded the Purple Heart, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Combat Action Ribbon, and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate PFC James R. “Johnny” Corder 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 number 17-019/00-004.49(17A069), locally known as Good Hope Bridge, carrying US Route 19 over the West Fork River in Harrison County, the “U. S. Marine Corps PFC James R. ‘Johnny’ Corder 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 James R. ‘Johnny’ Corder 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 and to forward five copies of this resolution to Mr. Corder’s family members and a close friend.