HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 118
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegates Manchin,
Romine, Trump and Michael)
Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge on U. S.
Route 50 at Smithburg the "General John Craddock Bridge."
Whereas, General Bantz John Craddock was born and raised in
Doddridge County, West Virginia, and graduated from Doddridge
County High School and West Virginia University; and
Whereas, General Craddock assumed command of the United States
Southern Command on November 9, 2004, was commissioned as an Armor
officer upon graduation from West Virginia University and was,
after completion of the Armor Officer Advanced Course, assigned to
the 3d Armored Division, commanding a tank company in the 1st
Battalion 32nd Armor; and
Whereas, In September 1981, General Craddock was reassigned to
the Office of the Program Manager, Abrams Tank Systems in Warren,
Michigan, as a Systems Analyst and later as Executive Officer,
joined the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Germany, serving
as the Executive Officer of the 4th Battalion 69th Armor for two
years and was subsequently reassigned to the Division Headquarters
as the Deputy G-3, Operations; andWhereas, In May 1989, General Craddock assumed command of the
4th Battalion, 64th Armor 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at
Fort Stewart, Georgia, commanded the Tuskers for 26 months,
deploying to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, was the
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Operations, for the 24th Division,
attended the U.S. Army War College, graduating in 1993, assumed
command of the 194th Separate Armored Brigade at Fort Knox and was
assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, for III Corps at
Fort Hood, Texas; and
Whereas, In 1996, General Craddock was reassigned to the Joint
Staff in the Pentagon as an Assistant Deputy Director in J-5,
joined the 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Germany as the
Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver, was designated as
Commander of U.S. Forces for the initial entry operation into
Kosovo; was reassigned as the Commanding General of the 7th Army
Training Command, U.S. Army Europe, assumed command of the 1st
Infantry Division (Mechanized) - the "Big Red One" and has since
August 2002, served as the Senior Military Assistant to the
Secretary of Defense; and
Whereas, General Craddock has attended numerous Army schools
and training programs and holds a Master's degree in Military Arts
and Sciences and his decorations include the Valorous Unit Award,
Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal,
Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Bronze Star;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways
name the bridge on U. S. Route 50 at Smithburg the "General John
Craddock Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested
to have made and placed on the bridge signs identifying it as the
"General John Craddock Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is
hereby directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to
the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and General John
Craddock.