HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 7

(By Delegates Holstein and Ridenour)

January 19, 2023
 Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure and then Rules

Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of Rt 85 South, starting at the Van Community Park of the community of Van and ending at the bridge at Clinton Camp Rd in Wharton in Boone County, the "U.S. Army SSG James C. Vickers Silver Star Highway".

Whereas, James C. Vickers was born on February 3, 1932, in Lorado, West Virginia, the son of Watt and Desta Vickers; he went to Man High School in Logan County before his parents moved him to Boone County; and

Whereas, In April 1950, James C. Vickers enlisted in the United States Army and took his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky; he completed basic training there the same month the Korean War started, June 1950; and

Whereas, SSG James C. Vickers was assigned to B Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and saw his first combat action in the amphibious assault at Inchon, South Korea on September 14, 1950;  he made a second amphibious assault at Iwon, North Korea on October 29, 1950, as part of a push for an early end to the war; his unit was part of Taskforce Drysdale, an action to clear a number of enemy roadblocks between Koto-ri and Hagaru-ri, North Korea; his whole unit was pinned down by a .50 caliber heavy machine gun 800 to 1,000 yards away; he took out the enemy gun, protecting his unit from taking losses. SSG James C. Vickers was wounded in action a day later in the battle for the Chosin Reservoir, in weather as cold as -32 degrees; he was one of very few in his unit that was not killed or captured in the battle, as he ignored his commander’s order to surrender and fought his way back to American troops; and

Whereas, The  actions of U.S. Army SSG James C. Vickers on that day were recognized when he was awarded the prestigious Silver Star, March 11, 2001; SSG James C. Vickers distinguished himself on many occasions and is the recipient of many awards including: The Purple Heart, Combat infantry Badge, Republic of South Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Army Presidential Unit Citation W/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Navy Presidential Unit Citation W/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal W/ four Combat Stars and two Arrowheads, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), and Army Good Conduct Medal; and

Whereas, U.S. Army SSG James C. Vickers is a retired Iron Worker of Local 201, in Charleston; during his working career, he worked at Cape Canaveral and helped construct the Vertical Assembly Building and also helped construct the Arming Tower for the first rocket launch to space; also set steel for the interstate system through Charleston, and the Corridor G bridge in Danville, WV; and

Whereas, The citizens of Boone County’s 32nd District of West Virginia, seek to honor the service and bravery of Korean War veteran and Silver Star recipient U.S. Army SSG James C. Vickers; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of RT 85 South, starting at the Van Community Park of the community of Van and ending at the bridge at Clinton Camp Rd in Wharton in Boone County, the "U.S. Army SSG James C. Vickers Silver Star Highway"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the portion of road containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the road as "U.S. Army SSG James C. Vickers Silver Star Highway"; and, be it

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