Introduced Version
Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 History
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9
(By Senators Stollings, Kirkendoll and Unger)
Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge crossing the
Little Coal River in Danville, Boone County, bridge number
3-85/8-0.37, the "Naval Chief Boatswain Fred L. Byrnside and
Army Captain Dora Jo Chambers Byrnside Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Fred Byrnside and his wife, Dora Jo Byrnside, were
both military veterans who served their country proudly; and
Whereas, Fred Byrnside had a long and distinguished Naval
career, serving active duty from January 1938 until October 1955,
and then in the Reserves until 1966. He retired with the rank of
Chief Boatswain; and
Whereas, Fred Byrnside served in World War II and was captured
by the Japanese in 1942. During his captivity, Fred endured
unspeakable atrocities and hardships at the hands of the Japanese,
including the infamous Bataan Death March in the Philippines. Fred
was held prisoner in the Funatsu prisoner-of-war camp until the
war's end in 1945; and
Whereas, By the grace of God, Fred Byrnside survived his
ordeals, when all at home believed him to have been killed. But
when Fred was liberated from that prison camp, he still felt the call to service. When others may have felt they had done enough, or
had endured enough on behalf of their country, Fred chose to
reenlist and continue serving the county he so loved; and
Whereas, Fred Byrnside was proud of his service in the United
States Navy, and while he seldom talked about the horrors he
endured as a prisoner, he was always ready to relate stories of his
other military experiences and what it meant to be a member of the
United States Navy; and
Whereas, Fred Byrnside was awarded the National Defense
Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Ribbon, Philippine
Defense Service Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, Army Distinguished
Unit Badge with One Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense Service
Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, China Service Ribbon, Victory Ribbon of
World War II, Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon with one Bronze Star; and
Presidential Unit Citation; and
Whereas, Dora Jo Chambers graduated from Marshall College in
1941, and joined the United States Army (WAC) in 1943. She served
during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and served in
New Guinea and the Philippines; and
Whereas, During her service in the United States Army, Dora Jo
Chambers was promoted to the rank of Captain, which was a notable
accomplishment for a young woman at that time; and
Whereas, Dora Jo Chambers was awarded the American Campaign
Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation and Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Service Medal; and
Whereas, Fred Byrnside and Dora Jo Chambers Byrnside were
married after Dora Jo's tour of duty ended in 1946, and they
returned home to Danville in 1955 when Fred retired from active
duty. Fred served as the postmaster at the Danville Post Office,
while Dora Jo raised their children and later taught at Scott High
School when the children were grown; and
Whereas, Fred Lincoln Byrnside passed away on January 3, 1980,
and Dora Jo Chambers Byrnside passed away on January 3, 2010. They
are survived by their children, Fred Byrnside and wife, Emma, of
Danville, Ellajo Thompson of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Lois
Byrnside of Dunedin, Florida; five grandchildren and ten great
grandchildren; and
Whereas, It is only fitting that we so honor Fred and Dora Jo
Byrnside for their dedicated and selfless service to their country,
and for their contributions to the town of Danville and Boone
County; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the
bridge crossing the Little Coal River in Danville, Boone County,
bridge number 3-85/8-0.37, the "Naval Chief Boatswain Fred L.
Byrnside and Army Captain Dora Jo Chambers Byrnside 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 "Naval Chief Boatswain Fred L. Byrnside and Army Captain
Dora Jo Chambers Byrnside 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 Secretary of
the Department of Transportation and to the children of Fred and
Dora Jo Byrnside.