COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20(By Delegates A.Evans, Staggers and Lynch)

Requesting that bridge number 29-11-7.97 (29A014) over Mill Creek on County Route 11 in Mineral County, West Virginia, the “U.S. Army Corporal William Eugene Shank Memorial Bridge”.

    Whereas, Corporal Shank was born on December 8, 1925 in Burlington, West Virginia to George Baker and Clarice A. Shank; and

    Whereas, Corporal Shank was a member of the United States Army Air Forces and was assigned to the 870 Bomber Squadron, 497th Bomber Group Very Heavy (Bombers) in the Pacific Theater; and

    Whereas, Corporal Shank was listed as Missing in Action and Buried at Sea after his plane went down in the ocean. Oral tradition states that while Corporal Shank survived the crashing of the plane, he lost his life while attempting to save the life of a fellow crew member; and

    Whereas, Corporal Shank was awarded the Purple Heart; and

    Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate this native son who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his state and his country; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 29-11-7.97 (29A014) over Mill Creek on County Route 11 in Mineral County, West Virginia, the “U.S. Army Corporal William Eugene Shank Memorial 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. Army Corporal William Eugene Shank Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and E. Frank Roleff, President, Mineral County Historical Society.