Bill Text: WV HCR14 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: U. S. Army, Staff Sargent Wendell Otho Casto Memorial Bridge
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-04 - House received Senate message [HCR14 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2020-HCR14-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 14
(By Delegate Westfall, Atkinson, Higginbotham, Azinger and Cadle)
[Introduced January 16, 2020]
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 18-25/1-1.50 (18A261), locally known as Tug Fork Box Beam Bridge, carrying CR 25/1 over the Tug Fork of Mill Creek in Jackson County, the “U. S. Army, Staff Sargent Wendell Otho Casto Memorial Bridge”.
Whereas, Wendell Otho Casto was born April 4, 1920, on the family farm on Buffalo Lick in Jackson County, West Virginia. His father was Benjamin Franklin Casto, and his mother was Bertha Mae (Fisher) Casto. He was the fourth of five surviving children. His siblings were provided college or vocational educations; however, his sole ambition from youth was to farm. Due to his farming vocation, he was provided a military deferment for World War II. This changed in November 1943, when his older brother and father died within six days of one another. This life-altering loss inspired Wendell to enlist in the U.S. Army, which he did the following year; and
Whereas, He served with the 1st Armored Division in the Italian Campaign as a “chief” gunner on a 30-caliber water-cooled machine gun, with his official designation as a “heavy machine gunner”. While serving, Wendell earned the Combat Infantryman Badge SS M-1 Rifle, the Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Occupational Medal (Germany), the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, and the World War Il Victory Ribbon. He was honorably discharged in April 1946 with the rank of Staff Sergeant; and
Whereas, His first Bronze Star citation was for partaking in a rescue mission of a downed soldier in a mine field. His second Bronze Star citation followed the 1st Armored Division spearheading the offensive in the Po Valley, and extending behind enemy lines, his whereabouts unknown for 29 days. If he had been marked as “missing” for 30 days, his mother would have been notified. After “V-E Day”, Wendell continued in Germany for approximately one year, earning the respect and reliance of his superiors; and
Whereas, Upon returning to the family farm, he married Oda Marie Harrison, and fathered two sons, William “Bill” Franklin Casto, DVM, and Joe Wendell Casto, who were both involved in continuing their father's agricultural legacy. Bill is employed with the USDA Veterinary Services as Assistant Area Veterinarian in Charge for West Virginia. Joe is retired from the Farm Credit of Virginias as Regional Sales and Lending Manager. Both sons maintain their father's family farm, including a successful cow-calf operation which is operational even today. His five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren have likewise been raised on the family farm; and
Whereas, In 1957, Wendell was one of the original signers and on the Board of Directors for the Jackson County Junior Fair, incorporating and participating in the inception of a fair which to-this-day boasts the most successful youth fair market in the state. He was also generally involved with encouraging agriculture in youth, through his involvement in 4-H and FFA in the county. He further served on the Board of Directors for West Virginia Farm Credit. He retired from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture — Animal Health Division as a Livestock Specialist. Throughout his time with the Department of Agriculture, in addition to the standard duties of his position, he devoted extra time to mentoring and teaching the ensuing generations of workers and Canners; and
Whereas, Wendell O. Casto died September 27, 1992; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Army, Staff Sargent Wendell Otho Casto and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 18-25/1-1.50 (18A261), locally known as Tug Fork Box Beam Bridge, carrying CR 25/1 over the Tug Fork of Mill Creek in Jackson County, the “U. S. Army, Staff Sargent Wendell Otho Casto 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 “U. S. Army, Staff Sargent Wendell Otho Casto Memorial Bridge”; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.
