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Commissioners Chambers
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Leslie Locke, Deputy Clerk of the Board
DATE: November 10, 2014
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION re: North Olympic Peninsula Medal of Honor Memorial Highway
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Gerald Rettela has requested to give a presentation regarding a proposed North Olympic Peninsula Medal
of Honor memorial highway. Two Jefferson County Veterans received Medal of Honor awards: 1) 1865,
Corporal Thaddeus S. Smith for flushing out a Confederate sharpshooter nest at the Battle of Gettysburg;
and 2) 1966, Marvin Glenn Shields for saving the lives of US Army Special Forces personnel at a
compound in Dong Xoai.
On October 6, 2014 the Board of Commissioners approved a letter of support for this memorial highway.
RECOMMENDATION:
Listen to presentation.
REVIEWED BY:
Philip Morey ;Count— y mistrator Date
Li'
DRAFT
NORTH OLYMPIC PENNINSULA MEDAL OF HONOR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
TO THE HONORABLE LYNN PETERSON, SECRETARY OF
TRANSPORTATION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION:
We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of
Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectful represent and petition as follows:
Whereas: In 1864, Corporal Francis A. Bishop, a Port Angeles residence in Clallam
County, a member of Charlie Company, 57d' Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Union
Army received the Medal of Honor for capturing the Confederate flag in the Battle of
Spotsylvania, Virginia;. and
Whereas: In 1865, Corporal Thaddeus S. Smith, a Port Townsend residence in
Jefferson County, a member of Easy Company, 6t° Pennsylvania Reserve, Union Army
received the Medal of Honor for flushing out a Confederate sharpshooter nest at the
Battle of Gettysburg; and
Whereas: In 1944, Private First Class Richard Beatty Anderson, a Clallam County
residence (Agnew), a member of the United States Marine Corps, a mortar man, 2 °d
Battalion, 23`d Infantry Regiment, a Marine Division received the Medal of Honor for
saving three men by tucking a Japanese grenade into his midsection before it exploded on
the island of Roi Namur, Kulajalen Atoll, Marshal Island; and
Whereas: In 1966, Seabee Construction Mechanic Third Class Marvin Glenn
Shields, a Port Townsend residence in Jefferson County, a member of the United States
Navy received the Medal of Honor by saving the lives of United States Army Special
Forces personnel at a compound in Dong Xoai.
He was wounded three times and fatally by the North Viet Nam forces; and
NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State
Transportation Commission commence proceedings to designate state route number 19 in
Jefferson County between the junction of state route number 104 and 20 as the North
Olympic Peninsula Medal of Honor Memorial Highway to honor those that served and
sacrificed their lives,
BE IT RESOLVED, that copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the
Honorable Lynn Peterson, Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State
Transportation Commission, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.
WE
iOr �ON �,0 1820 Jefferson Street
4w G PO Box 1220
t w Port Townsend, WA 98368
Phil Johnson, District f David W. Sullivan, District 2 John Austin, District 3
October 9, 2014
Ms. Reema Griffith
Executive Director
Washington State Transportation Commission
Dear Ms. Griffith,
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners strongly endorse the Navy's application
to honor Marvin Shields through naming a highway in recognition of his service. His
heroism is an inspiration and a source of pride to our community. Each year there are
ceremonies in remembrance of this remarkable young man. Our local American Legion
Hall is named in his honor. We thank the Transportation Commission in advance for
consideration of this request.
Si cerely,
Jo h Austin, Chairman
Phone (360) 385.9100 Fax (360) 385 -9382 jeffbocoaco.Jefferson.wa.us