HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 28
(By Delegates Cooper, Canterbury, Heckert, Toney, and Roop)
[Introduced February 14, 2025; Referredto the committee on Energy and Public Works then Rules ]
Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of War Ridge Road, beginning at the intersection of War Ridge Road and Ballengee Road in Summers County, to the intersection of War Ridge Road and Little Stoney Creek Road in Monroe County, the "U. S. Army Private First Class Frank Maddy Memorial Road".
Whereas, Frank Lee Maddy was born on May 13, 1924, in War Ridge, Monroe County, to Lemuel Kenna and Lou Esta Maddy; and
Whereas, Frank Maddy was a member of the Forest Hill Baptist Church and attended Greenville High School. Prior to enlisting, Frank Maddy worked as a driver in Alexandria, VA; and
Whereas, Frank Maddy entered the armed services on May 1, 1943, in Huntington, WV. He received his basic training in Camp Croft, SC, and he trained as a Paratrooper at Fort Benning, GA; and
Whereas, Frank Maddy was assigned to overseas duty with 1st Platoon, D. Co, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment in November, 1943, and he served in New Guinea, Australia, Dutch East Indies, and the Philippines. Unlike many other airborne units, which were deployed in the European Theater of Operations, the 503rd was the first airborne regiment to fight in the Pacific and as an independent unit; and
Whereas, Frank Maddy was killed in action in the Philippines during a charge in the early morning hours of February 19, 1945, by 900 men of the elite Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces under Lieutenant Endo at Banzai Point during the Battle of Corregidor; and
Whereas, Frank Maddy was first buried in USAF Cemetery, #1, Mariveles, Bataan. After the war, Frank Maddy's remains were taken to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands, where he rested until removed to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. At his mother's request, Frank Maddy was buried in his final resting place in the Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Private First Class Frank Lee Maddy 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 a portion of War Ridge Road, beginning at the intersection of War Ridge Road and Ballengee Road in Summers County, to the intersection of War Ridge Road and Little Stoney Creek Road in Monroe County, the "U. S. Army Private First Class Frank Maddy Memorial Road"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the portion of road as the "U. S. Army Private First Class Frank Maddy Memorial Road"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of The Division of Highways.