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SCR20 SUB1 Senate Concurrent Resolution 20 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20

(By Senators Chafin, Yost, Kessler (Mr. President), Unger, Stollings and D. Hall)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]

 

 

Requesting the Division of Highways to name State Route 80, beginning at the intersection of Routes 52 and 80 in Iaeger and ending at the intersection of Routes 83 and 80 in Bradshaw, in McDowell County, the "Army PFC Phill G. McDonald Memorial Highway".

    Whereas, PFC McDonald was born on September 13, 1941, to Oscar Fred and VanDora McDonald; and

    Whereas, PFC McDonald was raised in Avondale and had thirteen brothers and sisters; and

    Whereas, When PFC McDonald was about seventeen he moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, where his sister Alice resided and began working in a cedar plant; and

    Whereas, After moving to North Carolina PFC McDonald became active in the Central Assembly Church of God, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, played the guitar and planned to become a minister; and

    Whereas, PFC McDonald joined the United States Army in Beckley, West Virginia, in 1967, took basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and served as a private first class in Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division; and

    Whereas, PFC McDonald was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Nixon during a special ceremony at the White House, for his actions during a June 7, 1968, firefight near Kontum City in the Republic of Vietnam, during which he was killed; and

    Whereas, PFC McDonald’s Medal of Honor Citation reads in full: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. McDonald distinguished himself while serving as a team leader with the First Platoon, Company A. While on a combat mission his platoon came under heavy barrage of automatic weapons fire from a concealed company-size enemy force. Volunteering to escort two wounded comrades to an evacuation point, McDonald crawled through intense fire to destroy with a grenade an enemy automatic weapon threatening the safety of the evacuation. Returning to his platoon, he again volunteered to provide covering fire for the maneuver of the platoon from its exposed position. Realizing the threat he posed, enemy gunners concentrated their fire on McDonald's position, seriously wounding him. Despite his painful wounds, McDonald recovered the weapon of a wounded machine gunner to provide accurate covering fire for the gunner's evacuation. When other soldiers were pinned down by a heavy volume of fire from a hostile machine gun to his front, McDonald crawled toward the enemy position to destroy it with grenades. He was mortally wounded in this intrepid action. McDonald's gallantry at the risk of his life which resulted in the saving of the lives of his comrades, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army”; and

    Whereas, PFC McDonald is McDowell County’s only Medal of Honor recipient; and

    Whereas, On February 23, 2012, during a special ceremony, PFC McDonald’s portrait and Medal of Honor citation were placed in the McDowell County Courthouse and in the hearts of all those who knew him; and

    Whereas, During that February 23, 2012, ceremony, VFW Post 1144, Iaeger, and American Legion Post 175, Bradshaw, combined to offer a 21-gun salute at the courthouse to honor PFC McDonald; and

    Whereas, It is fitting to honor Army PFC Phill G. McDonald for his commitment, dedication and service to his country and his state and having made the ultimate sacrifice; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name State Route 80, beginning at the intersection of Routes 52 and 80 in Iaeger and ending at the intersection of Routes 83 and 80 in Bradshaw, McDowell County, the "Army PFC Phill G. McDonald Memorial Highway”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the highway as the "Army PFC Phill G. McDonald Memorial Highway"; 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 the family of Army PFC Phill G. McDonald.

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