HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14

(By Delegate Martin)

[Introduced January 28, 2003; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the new bridge from Pomeroy, Ohio to Mason, West Virginia "Sgt. Jimmy G. Stewart Bridge."

Whereas, Jimmy G. Stewart was born on December 25, 1942, in West Columbia, Mason County, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Jimmy G. Stewart was killed May 8, 1966, in action in Vietnam after holding his position for four hours against three North Vietnamese assaults. A surprise early morning attack wounded five members of a six-man squad in Company B of the 2/12 Cavalry Regiment left Staff Sergeant Jimmy G. Stewart virtually alone and one man against the Vietnamese platoon. He emptied magazine after magazine of ammunition at the enemy force and when they threw grenades at the Company B position, he retrieved the grenades and threw them back at the attacking enemy. Staff Sergeant Jimmy G. Stewart held his position for four hours and through three assaults until reinforcements arrived. They found the body of Staff Sergeant Jimmy G. Stewart in an enemy foxhole where he had advanced to add his fire to the reinforcements and eight enemy dead near his immediate position and evidence that fifteen others had been dragged away. The wounded members of his squad were recovered and evacuated; and
Whereas, Jimmy G. Stewart with conspicuous gallantry and bravery unselfishly gave his life to protect and save his wounded squad members and comrades in arms; and
Whereas, Jimmy G. Stewart received posthumously this nation's highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor "For Conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity in Action at the Risk of His Life Above and Beyond the Call of Duty"; and
Whereas, The life of Jimmy G. Stewart should not go unnoticed; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the members of the Legislature request the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the new bridge from Pomeroy, Ohio to Mason, West Virginia "Sgt. Jimmy G. Stewart Bridge" ; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Division of Highways provide and erect a sign at either end of the bridge displaying the name of the bridge; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, and to the surviving family of Jimmy G. Stewart.