HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 30
(By Delegates Campbell, Canterbury and Crosier)
Requesting the Division of Highways to name the bridge traversing
the CSX Railroad tracks and the Greenbrier River on U.S. Route
219 South, in Ronceverte, West Virginia, the "Thomas E. "Jock"
Clifford, Jr., Memorial Bridge".
Whereas, Colonel Thomas Edward "Jock" Clifford, Jr., was born
May 19, 1911, in Ronceverte, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford joined the West Virginia
National Guard at Ronceverte on November 20, 1928; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford graduated with honors from
Greenbrier Military Academy in 1931, and was then appointed to West
Point Military Academy on academic and athletic merit; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford starred as the center for the
West Point football team, earning the title of All-American Center
in football in 1935; and
Whereas, In addition to his success on the football field,
Colonel Jock Clifford lettered in basketball and baseball. As a
result of his superior athletic abilities, he acquired the nickname
"Jock"; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford married Brownie Peters, his hometown sweetheart, the day after his graduation from West Point
Military Academy; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford initially served at Fort Benning
in Georgia and later as the officer in charge of the Army unit at
the Cleveland (Ohio) Exposition of 1937; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford commanded the 19th Infantry
Regiment of the 24th Division of the United States Army; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford commanded a battalion during the
Hollandia campaign, which ultimately lead to the defeat of Japanese
forces in New Guinea; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford was promoted to Colonel after
demonstrating tremendous leadership and courage during the Battle
of the Ormac Corridor; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford's seemingly limitless strength,
fearlessness, tenacity, determination, and resolve to push himself
and the men in his battalion to the brink of their endurance,
earned him the nickname "Hell Roaring Jock"; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford was often referred to as a "real
life John Wayne"; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford is considered the liberator of
the city of Davao in the Philippines; and
Whereas
, The city of Davao acknowledged his accomplishment by
naming a theater, a street, and the town square in his honor; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford was known by friends, family, and peers as a fearless and brilliant leader; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford has named in his honor an army
post in Kaje-do, Korea; a National Guard Armory in Ronceverte, West
Virginia; a landing craft; and an arms rifle range; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford graciously requested a transfer
from a prestigious position on General MacArthur's staff to return
to the battlefield as one of the commanders of the 24th Infantry;
and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford then sacrificed his life near
Tamogan, Mindanao, on June 24, 1945, while rescuing one of his
sergeants from a Japanese-fired artillery shell; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford was awarded the Distinguished
Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; the Silver Star; the Legion of
Merit; the Bronze Star with V and Oak Leaf Cluster; and the
prestigious Purple Heart; and
Whereas, Colonel Jock Clifford's service and sacrifice earned
him the honor of interment at Arlington National Cemetery; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford requested, should anything
happen to him during the war, that his body be laid to rest in
Ronceverte, West Virginia; and
Whereas
, Colonel Jock Clifford was an outstanding World War II
hero, and should be forever remembered for his valor and service to
his country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways
to name the bridge traversing the CSX Railroad tracks and the
Greenbrier River on U.S. Route 219 South, in Ronceverte, West
Virginia, the "Thomas E. "Jock" Clifford, Jr., Memorial Bridge"
;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested
to have made and placed on the bridge signs identifying them as the
"Thomas E. "Jock" Clifford, Jr., Memorial Bridge"; 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 family of Colonel Thomas E. "Jock" Clifford, Jr.