HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 63

(By Delegates Hartman, C. Thompson, Sponaugle, Staggers and N. Brown)

[Introduced February 11, 2019]

Requesting the Division of Highways name a section of U.S. Route 250 from its intersection with U.S. 219 at Huttonsville, West Virginia, south to the Pocahontas County Line at Randolph County, the “U. S. Army SSG Boggs G. Collins Memorial Road”.

Whereas, Boggs G. Collins was born to Forrest and Maude Boggs Collins in Huttonsville, West Virginia, on September 21, 1916; and

Whereas, Boggs G. Collins entered the U. S. Army at Ft. Hayes, Columbus, Ohio, on 12 February 1942. He was assigned to the 509th PIB, later redesignated as the 2nd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment; and

Whereas, SSG Collins participated in airborne combat missions in North Africa and in Italy at Avelino. He also participated in two amphibious operations at Naples and Anzio beachheads. On August 15, 1944, SSG Collins also participated in the lead combat team for the airborne jump into southern France, and was one of about 50 survivors of the original 700 who entered the battle near St. Vith, Belgium; and

Whereas, SSG Collins was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for extraordinary heroism in action on the night of 15-16 March 1944 near Carano, Italy. When his company was relieved from action, he voluntarily remained behind to assist the relieving company in the installation of an automatic rifle position. The enemy suddenly launched a counterattack to regain lost ground and upon finding the machine gun destroyed, SSG Collins crawled back to another machine gun position. In spite of overwhelming enemy fire superiority he decided to remain in the forward area and applying immediate action, he returned fire. He drove off the enemy, capturing two and killing several others. SSG Collins captured two more Germans while returning to friendly lines. By his willingness to remain at his position after being relieved, SSG Collins was largely responsible for the complete disruption of an enemy counterattack. He was awarded the DSC by Mark Clark, Lieutenant General, Fifth Army, Commanding; and

Whereas, SSG Collins was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action on 29 December 1944 near Sadzot, Belgium for leading an assault on prepared enemy machine gun positions on his company’s right flank. Using his Thompson submachine gun he completely wiped out the enemy occupying the positions. SSG Collins rejoined his squad and led them through the rest of the battle and was credited with killing 22 enemy during his actions; and

Whereas, SSG Collins was cited for bravery by leading an assault on a German stronghold that included several houses. His squad pinned down a German command element and his squad’s intense machine gun and mortar fire forced the enemy to surrender. SSG Collins’ squad was credited with killing 17 enemy and wounding scores more. A German general was among those captured who initially refused to surrender to SSG Collins since he was not an officer. However, the general soon changed his mind when SSG Collins placed his machine gun in the general’s stomach; and

Whereas, The Humbert of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont, Lieutenant General of the Realm of Italy, by His Decree under date of September 15, 1945, in view of Royal Decree No. 1423 of November 1932 and successive modifications; upon the suggestion of the Secretary of State for War, conferred, on his own motion, the Military Valor Cross upon SSG Collins. In the Italian Campaign SSG Collins distinguished himself by valor and a splendid spirit of self-sacrifice; and

Whereas, SSG Collins’ courageous performance during World War II reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army as he was cited for extraordinary heroism with the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with two clusters, French Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, and American and European Theatre Ribbons with five Battle Stars; and

Whereas, When World War II ended in the European Theatre, SSG Collins was honorably discharged on 30 May 1945; and

Whereas, In January 1949 SSG Collins was united in marriage to the former Mary Emily White, who preceded him in death on January 19, 2004; and

 Whereas, SSG Collins was the primary caretaker and gravedigger for the Brick Church Cemetery at Huttonsville, West Virginia, from 1960 until 2001; and

Whereas, SSG Collins passed away on October 18, 2004, and is survived by a daughter, Sheila McCauley and her husband, Larry, of Huttonsville; one son, Tommy Collins, who made his home with his father; and two sisters, Mary Collins Miller and her husband, Bob, of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Adalade Kesterson of Parkersburg, West Virginia; one granddaughter, Shelby Amber McCauley; and several nieces and nephews; and

Whereas, It is appropriate to name this road for this brave American soldier. His countless acts of heroism and his exemplary military service during World War II to his country, state and community should not go unnoticed; therefore, be it    

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a section of U.S. Route 250 from intersection U.S. 219 at Huttonsville, West Virginia, south to Pocahontas County Line in Randolph County, the “U. S. Army SSG Boggs G. Collins Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the road as the “U. S. Army SSG Boggs G. Collins Memorial Road”; 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.