HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 71
(By Delegates Schoen, Andes, Martin and Paxton)
Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge located on
the new Route 35, crossing Route 34 at Poplar Fork, Putnam
County, specifically bridge number 40-35-2.40, the "PFC Roger
Lee Byus Memorial Bridge, Killed in Action, Vietnam 1969."
Whereas, Roger Lee Byus was born on March 23, 1949, the son of
Mervin C. Byus, Jr. and Alma Ruth Ball Byus in Winfield, Putnam
County, West Virginia and raised and educated in Putnam County. He
attended Black Lick School, a one-room elementary school near his
home, Hurricane Middle School and Hurricane High School, where he
played football. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding
motorcycles and any activity related to snow. He was employed by
C. H. Heist Corporation. He married Judy Elaine Dillon on
September 19, 1966. Eight days later she was killed in an
automobile accident; and
Whereas, On March 20, 1969, Roger Lee Byus was inducted into
the United States Army along with his two best friends, William
Gillespie and Keith Grant and were sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky
where he completed his basic and AIT training. He was then sent to
Vietnam, arriving there on October 13, 1969,where he became a
member of the elite 11
th Armored Calvary, Blackhorse Regiment, Second Squadron, E Troop as a gunner. On November 24, 1969, while
on a volunteer mission in Phuoc Long, South Vietnam, E Troop
encountered enemy forces and called for mortar support. The
coordinates were incorrectly sent and E Troop suffered a direct hit
injuring PFC Roger Lee Byus who was dead upon arrival at a base
hospital; and
Whereas, PFC Roger Lee Byus made the ultimate sacrifice for his
country, during the conflict in Vietnam, earning the Purple Heart,
Bronze Star and other medals posthumously; and
Whereas, The nature of the sacrifice of this brave and
courageous son of Putnam County requires us to honor his memory, by
ensuring that future generations are aware of his bravery and
sacrifice in the cause of freedom; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Commissioner of the
Division of Highways to name bridge number 40-35-2.40, located on
the new Route 35, crossing Route 34 at Poplar Fork, Putnam County
the "PFC Roger Lee Byus,
Memorial Bridge Killed in Action, Vietnam,
1969"; and, be it
Further Resolved,
That the Commissioner of the Division of
Highways is hereby requested to cause to be fabricated signs to be
erected at each entry of said bridge, containing bold and prominent
letters proclaiming the bridge to be the
"PFC Roger Lee Byus
Memorial Bridge Killed in Action, Vietnam, 1969"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of
Transportation, the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, and
the surviving family of PFC Roger Lee Byus.