Bill Text: WV SCR1 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: US Army PFC Billy Keith Ford Memorial Bridge
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-04 - House Message received [SCR1 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2022-SCR1-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1
(By Senator Baldwin)
[Introduced January 12, 2022]
Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 10-061/00-027.81 (10A161), locally known as Armstrong Creek Bridge, carrying West Virginia Route 61 over Armstrong Creek in Fayette County, the “U.S. Army PFC Billy Keith Ford Memorial Bridge”.
Whereas, Billy Keith Ford was born on September 28, 1945, in Boomer, West Virginia, to Henry and Juanita Kilburn Ford, into a family of four boys and five girls; and
Whereas, As a boy, Billy Keith Ford spent his time helping in local gardens near the family home and when they were not in the gardens, the family enjoyed camping in West Virginia state parks; and
Whereas, Billy Keith Ford entered the United States Army in 1967 and was deployed to Vietnam on December 23, 1967, at the rank of Private First Class; and
Whereas, PFC Billy Keith Ford was originally assigned to the Fifth Battalion, Seventh Calvary, as a new battalion of the First Air Cavalry in 1966. As part of this battalion, he was stationed in Thua Thien Province, an area of exceptionally heavy fighting during that time, with more U.S. casualties than in any other province of Vietnam; and
Whereas, PFC Billy Keith Ford and his unit participated in a massive offensive, Operation Pegasus, in April 1968. They liberated ground troops who had been under siege for 78 days and seized tons of enemy supplies and equipment; and
Whereas, PFC Billy Keith Ford and the “5/7 Cav” later interdicted enemy movements to the south and held a dominant position in the A Shau Valley, hindering the enemy’s efforts at retreat and reinforcement; and
Whereas, PFC Billy Keith Ford’s company came under fire on April 28, 1968, and he was killed in the engagement; and
Whereas, During his time in service, PFC Billy Keith Ford received the Army Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Purple Heart Medal; and
Whereas, PFC Billy Keith Ford’s funeral service was held in the Mount Carbon Community Church on Sunday, May 12, 1968, and he was laid to rest in Montgomery Memorial Park in London, West Virginia; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Army PFC Billy Keith Ford and his contributions and sacrifice 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 10-061/00-027.81 (10A161), locally known as Armstrong Creek Bridge, carrying West Virginia Route 61 over Armstrong Creek in Fayette County, the “U.S. Army PFC Billy Keith Ford 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 PFC Billy Keith Ford 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 Commissioner of the Division of Highways.
