HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 39
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Thompson and Delegate Perdue)
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 50-37-15.43
on West Virginia Route 37 in Wayne County the "Corporal
Menifee Carter Memorial Bridge."
Whereas, Menifee Carter was born on September 7, 1929, in
Wayne, West Virginia, to Melvin S. Carter and Clara Alice Miller
Carter; and
Whereas, Menifee Carter attended the public schools in Wayne
County, West Virginia, while working on the family farm; and
Whereas, At age eighteen Menifee Carter enlisted in the United
States Army on December 9, 1947, and served in the 5
th RTC 24
th
Infantry during the Korean Conflict; and
Whereas, Corporal Menifee Carter was captured on April 25,
1951, by enemy combatants at Ujionbu, Korea and was held captive
until his release on August 20, 1953; and
Whereas, Corporal Menifee Carter unsuccessfully attempted to
escape his captors on May 25, 1951, and once again on May 29, 1951;
and
Whereas, Corporal Menifee Carter received harsh treatment
during his twenty-seven months in captivity at least in part in retaliation for his vigilant stance against communism and
oppression; and
Whereas, Corporal Menifee Carter received a hero's welcome upon
his return to Wayne County, West Virginia for his service and
hardship he suffered as a Prisoner of War during the Korean
Conflict; and
Whereas, Corporal Menifee Carter received the World War II Army
of Occupation (Japan) Medal, the Korean Service Medal with four
Bronze Camp Stars and the United Nations Service Medal for his
valor and service during those trying times; and
Whereas, Corporal Menifee Carter passed away on October 26,
2000, in Daytona, Florida and was laid to rest at the Elmwood
Cemetery in Wayne, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Corporal Menifee Carter leaves surviving him, his wife
of fifty-one years, Elizabeth Goss Carter, their two children,
Loretta Jean Carter and Charles Dean Carter, all presently residing
in Florida, two children by a previous marriage, Melinda Ann Holley
and Belinda Diane Holley, both presently residing in Delaware and
one sister, Helen Carter Bailey of Route 2, Wayne, West Virginia;
and
Whereas, Having honorably served in the United States Army and
having endured incredible hardships as a Prisoner of War, we are
compelled to ensure that future generations are aware of Corporal
Menifee Carter's sacrifice and commitment to the cause of freedom; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name
bridge number 50-37-15.43 on West Virginia Route 37 in Wayne County
the "Corporal Menifee Carter Memorial Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested
to have made and be placed, signs identifying the bridge as the
"Corporal Menifee Carter Memorial Bridge: Korean Conflict POW";
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a copy of this resolution to the family of Corporal Menifee
Carter and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.