Recalled

May 07, 2024

H. 4904

Introduced by Rep. Gilliam

S. Printed 05/07/24--S.

Read the first time March 07, 2024

________

A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE BROAD RIVER ALONG SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAYS 49 AND 9 IN UNION COUNTY "1ST LT. ROY D. BRATTON MEMORIAL BRIDGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS AT THIS DESIGNATION CONTAINING THESE WORDS.

Whereas, Roy Donald Bratton, born November 3, 1944, grew up in the Union County Town of Adamsburg, South Carolina. Like many children born during World War II, the fighter aces of that war had been heroes and becoming a fighter pilot seemed like the ultimate goal; and

Whereas, he attended Lockhart High School where, as an avid sportsman, he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He continued his education at Clemson University where he worked as a manager of the football team and was a member of the weightlifting club. A mechanical engineering major, Bratton was selected for membership in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and served as president of the Union County club. He also excelled as an Air Force ROTC cadet and was squadron commander in 1965-1966; and

Whereas, an affable guy, Bratton was said to be one of the nicest people you could know, always ready to help, and easy to be around. One Clemson classmate remembers him as "a cheerful guy, always upbeat who greeted everyone with a smile"; and

Whereas, following graduation from Clemson, Bratton reported for active duty in February 1967. After a year of flight training, he earned his wings and soon was on his way to Vietnam, arriving in April 1969. Lt. Bratton was assigned to the 421st tactical fighter squadron based at Da Nang Air Base where he flew the F-4D Phantom fighter in ground support missions. He excelled as a pilot earning the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for a May 1969 mission where he made repeated, dangerous low-level bombing and strafing runs that led to the rescue of a reconnaissance team. He earned a second DFC for a June 1969 mission in which he attacked a "vital military supply link in an extremely heavily defended area". It's reported that he had flown more than one hundred missions in the four months he was in Vietnam; and

Whereas, on August 4, 1969, while flying a support mission for ground operations with Col. George S. Dorman, Lt. Bratton's plane, call sign Stinger, was shot down in Quang Nam Province. The aircraft crashed about a mile from its target and neither crewman survived. Lt. Bratton's body was recovered and interred in the cemetery of Philippi Baptist Church in Union; and

Whereas, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His name appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., and on the Vietnam Conflict Memorial to Union County in Union; and

Whereas, Lt. Bratton paid the ultimate sacrifice in his selfless devotion to his country. It is only fitting and proper that this son of the Palmetto State be honored for his bravery in the face of danger by naming a bridge in Union County in his remembrance. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation name the bridge that crosses the Broad River along South Carolina Highways 49 and 9 in Union County "1st Lieutenant Roy D. Bratton Memorial Bridge" and place appropriate signs or markers at this designation containing these words.

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

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