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Introduced Version House Concurrent Resolution 67 History

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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 67

(By Delegates Sponaugle, Skaff, Hott, Rowan, Criss, Householder, Hartman, C. Thompson, Boggs, Byrd and Campbell)

[Introduced February 6, 2020]

 

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 16-048/00-008.59 (16A143), locally known as US 220 Overpass Bridge, carrying US 48 over US 220 in Hardy County, West Virginia, the “First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt was born on August 17, 1941, the son of Edwin M. Pratt, Sr. and Vern Hose Pratt of Moorefield in Hardy County; and

Whereas, On October 13, 1958, Pratt enlisted in the U.S. Army and served tours of duty in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam and was a distinguished graduate of the Airborne School and served as a Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam during 1962.  That same year, Pratt volunteered for Special Forces and returned to the United States for further training.  After winning the Green Beret, he was appointed to attend Officers’ Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia.  There, he was elected to the honored position of Council of President of the Battalion and was named distinguished graduate of his class; and

Whereas, First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt attended the U.S. Army’s Rotary Wing Flight School and returned to Vietnam in June 1968.  He served as a C Model Gun Ship Pilot in the 155th Assault Helicopter Company.  On August 23, 1968, Pratt distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as pilot of a UH-1 Huey helicopter gunship supporting friendly Special Forces and MACV compounds in the vicinity of DucLop South Vietnam that were under attack by an enemy regiment.  During the battle, First Lieutenant Pratt observed a tree line in which large enemy forces had concentrated and began to attack the enemy force; and

Whereas, In the course of combat on August 23, 1968, First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt’s aircraft sustained numerous hits from anti-aircraft fire and was downed.  Under heavy mortar and automatic weapons fire and being injured in the arm and back himself, Pratt tended to his seriously injured crew chief and exposed himself to enemy fire to summon aid for his crew.  Upon reaching a secure area, Pratt continued to give aid to his injured crew chief while refusing treatment for himself; and

Whereas, On August 26, 1968, First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt insisted on returning to battle in light of dire circumstances and aggressive actions by NVA forces whereby the enemy had captured half the camp.  Upon arrival in the area of aggression, Pratt took actions against a large enemy force drawing heavy fire.  During this engagement, he was fatally wounded.  His co-pilot returned the heavily damaged gunship to the 155th AHC at Ban Me Thuot; and

Whereas, For his gallant and courageous efforts, First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action (Posthumous), the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism (Posthumous), the Air Medal with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart (twice), the National Defense Service medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal,  two of the highest awards for bravery awarded by Vietnamese government; and

Whereas, In June of 1974, the U.S. Army dedicated the Flight Simulator Building, Building 4901, at the U.S. Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama as “Pratt Hall” in his honor.  This building houses the most sophisticated flight simulator systems used to train Army Aviators; and

Whereas, First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt left behind a loving wife, three young sons as well as his beloved brothers and sisters and many other family members and friends.  Those who served with him were proud to do so, and one comrade stated that: “we wish for him a peaceful eternal rest and those who remember and mourn his sacrifice are mindful of his duty and service in fighting for and protecting the freedoms that we enjoy today”; and  

Whereas, Many in the Moorefield, West Virginia community today still remember the young man who went off to serve his country and did not return; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 16-048/00-008.59 (16A143), locally known as US 220 Overpass Bridge, carrying US 48 over US 220 in Hardy County, West Virginia, the “First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and prominent letters identifying bridge number 16-048/00-008.59 (16A143), locally known as US 220 Overpass Bridge, as “First Lieutenant Fred Omar Pratt Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.

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