Bill Text: WV HCR2 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. Bridge
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 11-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-12 - To House Technology and Infrastructure [HCR2 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2022-HCR2-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2
(By Delegates B. Ward, Howell, Horst, Zatezalo, Tully Maynor, Hanna, Bridges, Hamrick, Holstein, and Jennings)
[Introduced January 12, 2022 ]
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 36-001/00-000.95 () (36A041), (38.78702, -79.26673), locally known as the Kline Road Bridge, carrying CR 11 over the South Branch of the Potomac River, in Pendleton County, the “U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. Memorial Bridge”.
Whereas, Joseph Edward Sites. Jr. was born on August 9, 1924, in Upper Tract, Pendleton County, West Virginia, and was the son of Joseph Edward Sites, Sr. and Olivia Stearn Sites; and
Whereas, Joseph Edward Sites. Jr. grew up in Upper Tract, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1941; upon graduation, he and his brother, James Sites, attended Potomac State College before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he received flight training as a fighter pilot just as World War II was ending; and
Whereas, After World War II, U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. briefly returned home and married Naomi Berg and later returned to service in the U.S. Air Force; and
Whereas, U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr., during his illustrious military career, flew several military aircraft, one of the most notable being the Corvair F-106A Delta Dart, a supersonic, lethal all weather delta wing interceptor aircraft of the United States Air Force, from the 1960’s through 1988, a fast and sophisticated aircraft used during the Cold War years; and
Whereas, U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. retired as a highly decorated fighter pilot, becoming one of the very few fighter pilots to have served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War; and
Whereas, U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. flew over 300 missions in Vietnam alone and received the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, two Bronze Stars and ten Air Metals; and
Whereas, The Citation accompanying the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Cluster awarded U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr., states: “Major Joseph E. Sites, Jr. distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam on 27 December 1967. On that date, Major Sites flew his aircraft under conditions of adverse weather in the face of intense hostile ground fire in support of elements of the United Stated Army in heavy combat. With determination and great skill, Major Sites flew his aircraft on repeated attacks on the hostile position, drawing hostile fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Major Sites neutralized hostile forces thereby relieving the pressure of friendly units. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Sites reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force”; and;
Whereas, U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr., upon retiring from the U.S. Air Force, became the owner and operator of Sites Oil Company in Petersburg and served his community as a member of the Petersburg Presbyterian Church, the VFW Post #6454, the American Legion Post #78 in Petersburg and the Potomac Highlands Wounded Warrior Outreach program; and
Whereas, U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. passed away on October 27, 2013; he was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Naomi Sites, on March 24, 2010, and is survived by his only daughter, Diana K. Sites, of Petersburg; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. 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 36-001/00-000.95 () (36A041), (38.78702, -79.26673), locally known as the Kline Road Bridge, carrying CR 11 over the South Branch of the Potomac River, in Pendleton County, the “U. S. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. 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. Air Force Major Joseph Edward Sites, Jr. 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.
