HCR 6 Text

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 63
(By Delegates Cadle and Butler)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 27-62- 20.53 on Route 62 in Point Pleasant, Mason County, the "US Army SFC James Edward Duncan Memorial Bridge".
     Whereas, SFC James Edward Duncan was born on July 11, 1940, a son of the late Dale and Delphia Duncan of Point Pleasant, Mason County, West Virginia, and a brother to Dale, Dickie, Jack, Don, Rex, Kathy and Linda; and
     Whereas, SFC James Edward Duncan attended Point Pleasant High School and enlisted in the United States Army on December 2, 1958; and
     Whereas, SFC James Edward Duncan was married to the former Janice Kinnaird and they were the parents of two sons, James Albert and Mark Edward, and two daughters, Stacy Lynn and Pamela June, and the grandparents of Jason, Jamie and Jordan Duncan; Joseph, Cory and Dustin Duncan; Cody and Lane Sparks; and Tyler and Erica Lavender; and
     Whereas, SFC James Edward Duncan distinguished himself by gallantry in action on numerous occasions and was awarded the Purple Heart on December 17, 1966, the Bronze Star on April 28, 1967, the Silver Star on November 22, 1969, the Bronze Star with 1^st Oak Leaf Cluster on November 19, 1970, and an Army Commendation Medal on November 23, 1970. In addition, SFC Duncan received the Combat Infantry Badge; Good Conduct Medal; Good Conduct Medal with 1^st Loop; Good Conduct Medal with 2^nd Loop; South Vietnamese Ranger Badge; South Vietnamese Meritorious Unit Award; Senior Parachutist Badge; National Defense Service Medal; Sharpshooters Badge with bars for Rocket Launcher Badge, Automatic Rifle, Rifle and Mortar; Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal; and
     Whereas, On March 3, 1971, SFC James E. Duncan was serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor to the 22d Ranger Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, conducting a reinforced search and destroy operation southwest of Ben Het in Kontum Province, an area frequently referred to as the "Parrot's Beak," when a hostile enemy attack was launched on the Ranger Battalion; and
     Whereas, An accurate mortar attack was directed at the battalion command element and SFC James E. Duncan disregarded his own personal safety to determine the direction from which the attack was being launched; and
     Whereas, As a result, SFC James E. Duncan was severely wounded yet he continued to provide assistance to the Battalion Senior Advisor in locating the enemy and assisted immeasurably in the requisition and direction of helicopter gunships and airstrikes against the enemy positions until the battalion was able to organize a counterattack; and
     Whereas, Evacuation of the wounded started as soon as contact with the enemy was broken, but SFC James Edward Duncan died before he could be evacuated; and
     Whereas, In the chaos of battle, the ARVN commander determined their position was no longer tenable and, under intense fire, ordered the surviving patrol to pull back. The Rangers attempted to carry the bodies of their dead and wounded with them, but the fighting was so intense, they found it necessary to inter the remains of the deceased in shallow graves before breaking contact with the advancing communist force; and
     Whereas, It is unfortunate, but a reality of war, that the remains of SFC James Edward Duncan were left behind out of the necessity to protect the lives of the team who served with him; and
     Whereas, The name of SFC James Edward Duncan is listed with honor among the missing because his remains cannot be buried with honor at home; and
     Whereas, For gallantry in action on March 3, 1971, SFC James Edward Duncan was posthumously awarded the Silver Star with 1^st Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart with 1^st Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Bronze Star with 2^nd Oak Leaf Cluster; and
     Whereas, It is fitting and proper, that US Army SFC James Edward Duncan be remembered and acknowledged for his courageous action and dedicated service to his country; therefore, be it
     Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
     That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 27-62-20.53 on Route 62 in Point Pleasant, Mason County, the "US Army SFC James Edward Duncan Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
     Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the "US Army SFC James Edward Duncan Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
     Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and to the surviving family of SFC James Edward Duncan.

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