SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36

(By Senators Stollings, Unger, Chafin, Browning and Klempa)

Requesting the Division of Highways to name bridge number 24-1/2-4.03 on the King Coal Highway crossing Tug Fork on County Road 1/2 in McDowell County near Mohawk, the “Corporal John A. Gero Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, John A. Gero was born on August 22, 1947, in Grace Hospital, McDowell County, West Virginia, to Zane Joseph Gero and Mildred Blake Caldwell. He grew up and was educated in Burbank, California and graduated from Burbank High School in the Class of 1967; and

    Whereas, John A. Gero entered the United States Marine Corps on August 16, 1967 and served with the 1st PLT, G. Co, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. At the time he was wounded on June 29, 1968 in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, a ground casualty of friendly fire, he was a rifleman with the rank of corporal. He was transferred to the hospital ship U.S.S. Sanctuary where he died of multiple head injuries on June 29, 1968. Corporal John A. Gero was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously, in addition to other campaign ribbons and recognitions. Corporal John A. Gero was survived by his sister, Tricia Gero Blain, and brother, Joe Gero; and

    Whereas, Corporal John A. Gero gave his life in the service of his country, two months short of his twenty-first birthday. It is only fitting and proper that this bridge be named in his honor and that it henceforth stand as a permanent memorial so that Corporal John A. Gero’s supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Legislature hereby requests the Division of Highways to name bridge number 24-1/2-4.03 on the King Coal Highway crossing Tug Fork on County Road 1/2 in McDowell County near Mohawk, the “Corporal John A. Gero Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “Corporal John A. Gero Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and to the surviving family of Corporal John A. Gero.