HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 67

(By Delegates 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.