HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 17

(By Delegates R. Phillips, Eldridge, Marcum and Moffatt)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 23-12-0.05 (23A057) (37.87210, -81.98544), locally known as Peach Creek Bridge, carrying CR-12 over Guyandotte River in Logan county, the "U.S. Air Force S/Sgt Bethel Howard McNeely and U.S. Marines S/Sgt Clyde Elmo Bryant Bridge."

            Whereas, Staff Sergeant Bethel Howard McNeely was born on January 1, 1922 at Peach Creek, West Virginia, the son of Manny and Mary McNeely of Peach Creek; and

            Whereas, Staff Sergeant Bethel Howard McNeely was raised in Logan County and enlisted in the Air Force in September of 1942. He served with the 94^th Bomb Group 333^rd Bomb Squadron from September of 1942 until October of 1945, as a Tail Gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress; and

            Whereas, During this time, Staff Sergeant Bethel Howard McNeely flew on twenty-six missions into Germany and enemy-occupied territory; and

            Whereas, Staff Sergeant Bethel Howard McNeely was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Offensive Europe with Battle Star and the European, African and Middle East Theater Ribbons; and

            Whereas, Upon returning home, Staff Sergeant Bethel Howard McNeely worked for C&O Railroad until he retired in 1985. Today he resides at Crooked Creek in the home where he raised seven children. His wife was a long time employee of the Logan County Board of Education, serving in the Payroll Office; and

            Whereas, Staff Sergeant Bethel Howard McNeely is a member of the Crooked Creek Church of Christ and much loved in the community; and  

            Whereas, United States Marine Staff Sergeant Clyde Elmo Bryant enlisted in the service during World War II, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, when he heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor; and

            Whereas, After training at Cherry Point and Paris Island, Staff Sergeant Clyde Elmo Bryant was assigned to the Third Marine Division and shipped off to the Pacific. He made beachhead landings at Guam, Bougainville and Iwo Jima, as well as on other smaller islands; and

            Whereas, Staff Sergeant Clyde Elmo Bryant was loading wounded Marines for transfer off the Island of Iwo Jima when the famous flag raising photo was taken by Joe Rosenthal; and

            Whereas, Staff Sergeant Clyde Elmo Bryant was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Award and Ribbon Bar for service on Guam, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal; and

            Whereas, Staff Sergeant Clyde Elmo Bryant returned home to Logan County at the end of World War II, married Lila Evelyn Wilson and took up residence at Crooked Creek. He raised his four children on Crooked Creek; and

            Whereas, Staff Sergeant Clyde Elmo Bryant was a watchmaker and jeweler and operated several businesses in the City of Logan. He was a leader in the Crooked Creek Church of Christ and in many other community organizations. He was a 32 degree Mason; and

            Whereas, In 1962, Staff Sergeant Clyde Elmo Bryant was again called to duty as a squad leader and Sergeant 1^st class in the 150^th Armored Cavalry when the West Virginia National Guard was called up during the "Cuban Missile Crisis"; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 23-12-0.05 (23A057) (37.87210, -81.98544) the "U.S. Air Force S/Sgt Bethel Howard McNeely and U.S. Marines S/Sgt Clyde Elmo Bryant Bridge"; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the "U.S. Air Force S/Sgt Bethel Howard McNeely and U.S. Marines S/Sgt Clyde Elmo Bryant 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, to the family of Howard McNeely and to the family of the late Clyde Bryant.