HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 91
(By Delegates T. Clark, Adkins, Anderson, Brooks, Browning, Butler, Clay, Coop-Gonzalez, Dean, DeVault, Dillon, Dittman, Drennan, Eldridge, Ellington, Ferrell, Flanigan, Heckert, Hite, Hott, G. Howell, Jennings, Leavitt, Linville, Marple, Masters, Miller, Parsons, Phillips, Pritt, Sheedy, D. Smith, Statler, Stephens, Ward, Willis, Worrell, and Zatezalo)
[March 14, 2025; Referredto the committee on Energy and Public Works then Rules ]
Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of West Virginia Route 20 from the Upshur/Webster County Line GPS coordinates 38.730195, -80.387633 to Mount Zion Road GPS coordinates 38.699640, -80.393504, in Webster County, the "U. S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke Memorial Road".
Whereas, Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke was born-in Rock Cave, Upshur County, West Virginia, on February 15, 1922. He was the son of John Elbie Hoke, a veteran of WWI, and Mabel Haper Hoke, and was raised in Cleveland, Webster County; and
Whereas, Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke joined the U. S. Army on July 6, 1940. His overseas service includes participation in WWII via North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. Specifically, he served in the following campaigns: Tunisian, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He also served in the Korean Conflict where he was wounded (during two separate incidents) and captured by North Korean forces. In an ironic twist of fate, the Commander who arranged and carried out the prisoner exchange bringing Grant back to US forces was Captain Jack Morton, a life-long resident and attorney of Webster County; and
Whereas, Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke received the following military awards and decorations: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (with 5 loops), American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with 5 x campaign/battle stars), WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), National Defense Service Medal (with service star), Korean Service Medal (with 3 x battle stars), United Nations Service Medal (Korea), Republic of Korea Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Following his service in WWII, he also served during the Korean War where he was captured and a prisoner of war. He retired June 30, 1963, and was retroactively appointed to the rank of Command Sergeant Major; and
Whereas, Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke married Genevieve "Jinx" McCray Herron in 1951. She was a life-long resident of Cleveland and was a direct descendant of Robert McCray, a Cleveland Founder, and the 1st US Postmaster at the Cleveland Post Office. Grant Hoke died March 4, 2002, and his wife October 31, 2015. They were survived by three daughters who live in Webster County, and a son who died May 30, 2021; and
Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke 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 West Virginia Route 20 from the Upshur/Webster County Line GPS coordinates 38.730195, -80.387633 to Mount Zion Road GPS coordinates 38.699640, -80.393504, in Webster County, the "U. S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke 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 Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke Memorial Road"; 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.