COMMITTEE REPORT

April 9, 2014

H. 5078

S. Printed 4/9/14--H.

Read the first time April 9, 2014.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 5078) to request that the Department of Transportation erect appropriate markers or signs at the bridge that crosses the Wateree River along Interstate Highway 20, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

LISTON D. BARFIELD for Committee.

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE WATEREE RIVER ALONG INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 20 IN KERSHAW COUNTY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS: "MEDAL OF HONOR BRIDGE, KERSHAW COUNTY RECIPIENTS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR, JOHN C. VILLEPIGUE, RICHMOND HOBSON HILTON, AND DONALD LEROY TRUESDALE".

Whereas, throughout our nation's history, men and women in all eras from Concord and Lexington to Falleujah have served in harm's way to protect and secure our country's freedom and way of life;

Whereas, to recognize extraordinary heroism, the Congress of the United States established the Medal of Honor which represents the highest award for valor that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States; and

Whereas, while there have been more than three thousand four hundred recipients, Kershaw County has the distinct honor of being the home of three Medal of Honor winners: John C. Villepigue, Richmond Hobson Hilton, and Donald Leroy Truesdale; and

Whereas, during World War I, Corporal John C. Villepigue, while scouting through the village of Vaux-Andigny in advance of his platoon, single-handedly killed eight and captured six of the enemy in the face of machine gun and artillery fire that had already killed one and wounded the other of the three-man scout team. These acts of heroism earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor; and

Whereas, Sergeant Richmond Hobson Hilton, Company M, 118th Infantry, 30th Division, United States Army, displayed extraordinary courage during World War I when his company was under intense machine-gun fire. Sergeant Hilton, well in advance of a small contingent of soldiers, pressed toward the source, firing first his rifle, until his ammunition was exhausted, and then his pistol. He killed six of the enemy and captured ten, during which he was hit, resulting in the loss of his arm. These brave and courageous acts earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor; and

Whereas, on April 24, 1932, Corporal Donald Leroy Truesdale was second in command of a Guardia Nacional Patrol in active operations against armed bandit forces in the vicinity of Constancia, near the Coco River in northern Nicaragua. While the patrol was in formation on the trail searching for a bandit group with which contact had previously been made, a rifle grenade fell from its carrier and struck a rock which ignited its detonator. Risking his life to save the lives of his comrades, Corporal Truesdale grasped the grenade in his right hand and attempted to throw it away from the patrol. While this act of valor saved the members of the patrol from loss of life and serious injury, the grenade exploded in corporal Truesdale's hand, blowing it off and inflicting multiple wounds about his body. For his bravery, Corporal Truesdale was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; and

Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to recognize these sons of Kershaw County by having a bridge dedicated in their honor. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly request that the Department of Transportation erect appropriate markers or sign at the bridge that crosses the Wateree River along Interstate Highway 20 in Kershaw County that contain the words:

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.