SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15

(By Senators Laird, Miller, Wills, Unger, Klempa and Beach)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name the portion of U. S. Route 60, starting at the bridge where East Rainelle originated and running through the town of Rainelle, West Virginia, now known as Main Street, “Major Jackie Willard Sanford Street”.

    Whereas, Major Jackie Willard Sanford grew up in East Rainelle, West Virginia; and

    Whereas, Major Jackie Willard Sanford had a passion at a very young age for serving in the military and tried to enlist at the age of 13, but was rejected; and

    Whereas, A year later, to gain early entry into the military, Major Jackie Willard Sanford misled a United States Marine recruiter about his age and enlisted at the age of 14 on June 26, 1946; and

    Whereas, During his tenure in the Marines, Major Jackie Willard Sanford saw duty across the United States and in the Pacific while serving with the 1st Marine Division; and

    Whereas, Major Jackie Willard Sanford completed his Marine Corp enlistment in 1949, and joined the United States Army, where he became a paratrooper and saw combat duty as a Platoon Sergeant with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in Korea in 1952; and

    Whereas, Major Jackie Willard Sanford was wounded twice during his combat tour in Korea and received his first two Purple Heart medals; and

    Whereas, In September 1964, Major Jackie Willard Sanford again answered the call of duty, arriving in Vinh Long, Vietnam, as a member of the Vinh Long “Outlaws”, the aviation company known as the 62nd Assault Helicopter Company; and

    Whereas, Major Jackie Willard Sanford led a heavy fire team into the air to search for missing officers, who had been reported ambushed and captured by the enemy; and

    Whereas, During the search, Major Jackie Willard Sanford’s aircraft was struck by heavy enemy fire; and

    Whereas, Sadly, On June 16, 1965, Major Jackie Willard Sanford made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, succumbing to his wounds sustained when his aircraft was shot down; and

    Whereas, Major Jackie Willard Sanford had a distinguished military career receiving at least twenty-one major awards and decorations for his service duty including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster with “V” Device, Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant, Air Medal with twenty Oak Leaf Clusters, the 15th and 20th “V” Device, Purple Heart with Third Oak Leaf Cluster, Army of Occupation Medal with Clasp for Japan, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Parachutist Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal; and

    Whereas, It is fitting and proper, to honor Major Jackie Willard Sanford for his service and self-sacrifice to his country and state, by naming this street in remembrance of him; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways name the portion of U. S. Route 60, starting at the bridge where East Rainelle originated and running through the town of Rainelle, West Virginia, now known as Main Street, “Major Jackie Willard Sanford Street”; 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 “Major Jackie Willard Sanford Street”; 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 town of Rainelle.