HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 44

(By Delegates Fast, Brooks and Ridenour)

February 16, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Committee on Rules

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 10-041/00-000.29 () (10A065), (37.85603, -81.06700) locally known as Strecherneck Bridge, carrying WV 41 over the CSX Railroad in Fayette County, the "U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley Memorial Bridge".

Whereas, Harold Richard Plumley was born March 22, 1934, at Hamlet, Raleigh County, the son and second child of 12 of Mr. Earless Plumley and Mrs. Georgia Plumley of Prince; and

Whereas, Embodying labor-intensive West Virginia employment of this era, Harold Richard Plumley was employed by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway as a member of a "track gang" prior to his military service; and

Whereas, U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley was drafted into the U.S. Army and served until he was killed in action on June 11, 1953, during the battle of Outpost Harry on the Korean Peninsula, just over one month before the end of the Korean conflict on July 27, 1953; U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley had fought with Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division; and

Whereas, U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley's body was returned to the United States on board the SS Greenbay Victory and his casket was returned to Prince on train No. 3 at 7:35 AM, August 8, 1953; he is buried at High Lawn Memorial Park at Oak Hill; and

Whereas, U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley was awarded the following service medals for his service to his country: Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal; and

Whereas, One can only imagine the accolades Pvt. Plumley would have received in his life were it not cut short at 19 years old in defense of freedom; and

Whereas, Like many West Virginia families, the Plumley's have a deep history of military service; U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley is just one example and, as a result of his honorable service and sacrifice for his country, is deserving of this permanent honor by the State of West Virginia; and

Whereas, The family would seek any potential naming honor to be added to the Strecherneck Bridge on Rt. 41 at Prince, near the former site of the Plumley family home and a few hundred yards west of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway station, still standing, where U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley left for service in the U.S. Army; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley 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 10-041/00-000.29 () (10A065), (37.85603, -81.06700) locally known as Strecherneck Bridge, carrying WV 41 over the CSX Railroad in Fayette County, the "U. S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley 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 PV2 Harold Richard Plumley Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.