Sacrifice of local soldier memorialized in Thursday ceremony

Oct. 27—prince — Harold Richard Plumley completed his journey home on Thursday.

During a stirring ceremony on Thursday on Stanaford Road attended by Plumley's four surviving siblings, new signage identifying the U.S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley Memorial Bridge was unveiled. One of Plumley's brothers, Marvin, said the naming of the former Stretcher's Neck Bridge, so named originally due to its proximity to a tunnel of the same name, in honor of his brother's long-ago service, was fitting.

Plumley, 19 years of age at the time, was killed on June 11, 1953, while fighting with the U.S. Army's Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in the "Iron Triangle" in the Battle of Outpost Harry on the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War.

Plumley's casket was returned to Prince on Train No. 3 at 7:35 a.m. on Aug. 8, 1953, according to biographical information provided by Mark Totten, a driving force behind Thursday's recognition. He is interred at High Lawn Memorial Park at Oak Hill.

The bridge stands yards away from the C&O Railway-built Stretcher's Neck Tunnel. It passes over one of CSX Transportation's primary rail lines in West Virginia. Prior to his military service, Harold Plumley was employed for 12 months in 1951-52 by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, a CSXT predecessor railroad, as a member of a "track gang."

Addressing the assembled crowd Thursday, Marvin Plumley said the bridge naming and dedication brought his brother's life full circle.

"Time will not permit me to say all that I can recollect, but I will say that this is the appropriate bridge to be named in his honor," Plumley said. "I would rather it be here than any other bridge around."

He mentioned a photograph of his brother standing on a rock on top of the tunnel overlooking the bridge. It was taken sometime prior to Harold being drafted. Of his brother's school days, Marvin said, "He walked to school at Quinnimont through this tunnel and under this bridge. He left from the train station at Prince when inducted into the Army (for basic training at Indiantown Gap, Pa.). His body was returned by Train No. 3 at the same train station from which he had left.

"Yes, this is the right bridge."

On behalf of his family, Marvin Plumley later received a United States of America flag flown over the nation's Capitol at U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin's request in Harold Plumley's honor from Brian Aluise, representing Manchin.

"The working and giving spirit that defines the Mountain State was embodied in Private Plumley," Aluise said in conveying Manchin's sentiments. "As long as our mountains are still green and our streams still rush as crystal blue, his service to our great nation will not be lost."

Elizabeth Goodson, Pvt. Plumley's sister, was 11 years of age when her brother gave the ultimate sacrifice on a foreign battlefield.

Goodson lives in Hinton and is a neighbor of Sen. Woodrum, who was among those delivering remarks Thursday. She admitted it was an emotional day. She also said she was old enough at the time to have memories of her older brother.

"Well, he used to pay me to iron his blue jeans," Goodson recalled. "You know how hard blue jeans (were back then). Not like today. They were rough, rough, rough.

"He would give me a quarter a pair." That allowed him to be ready to "go see his girlfriend," she said with a laugh.

The other memory she shared Thursday was a more somber one.

At her brother's funeral, Goodson said, "I remember holding my youngest brother at the cemetery. He was 18 months old. I can't remember much about the cemetery except the 'Taps' they played. And every time I hear those 'Taps,' I remember that day, sitting there holding him.

"I'm just proud that people remember something that happened and the sacrifice that Harold did, and I'm free today because of that," Goodson added.

That youngest brother, Thomas, was present for the Thursday ceremony, as was their sister, Margaret Plumley.

"The Korean War is often called the forgotten war," said Mark Totten, president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society and a Plumley family friend. "But, for 70 years, since this young man from Prince, West Virginia was killed, the Plumley family did not forget. Today, the State of West Virginia does not forget."

"The bridge honors not only (Plumley's) service, but also the other men and women from West Virginia and across the nation who have served and given their lives for our country," Woodrum said. "It is a fitting tribute to Private Plumley and all those who have served our country with valor and distinction.

"It reminds us of their courage, dedication and sacrifice."

Woodrum, who said he earlier Thursday had thought of service members "currently in harm's way," said the bridge should serve to "educate the public about the history and values of the military, and inspire future generations to uphold them."

Thursday's ceremony also featured taped audio remarks from Delegate Bill Ridenour (R-Jefferson, 100) in describing the heroic efforts of Plumley and his fellow soldiers during the Battle of Outpost Harry, in which United Nations Command forces comprised of less than 5,000 American and Greek forces fought over 13,000 Chinese troops for slightly more than a month before the end of the Korean conflict on July 27.

Ahead of the bridge dedication, Ridenour said, in part, "The Battle for Outpost Harry was among the most ferocious fighting of the last two years of the Korean War. The Chinese Communists were preparing for a massive offensive, and Outpost Harry was one of the most critical Chinese targets to prepare for that offensive."

If the outpost was to fall, that would have given the Chinese troops a better chance of penetrating "the main line of resistance" and advancing toward the capital of Seoul, Ridenour said. There could be "no retreat," he stressed.

"Private Plumley's company ... was as ready as it could be, but nothing could prepare them for the incredibly savage combat that nearly overwhelmed them," Ridenour said. It was "primeval warfare at its worst" for vastly-outnumbered troops during an eight-day battle.

"In one of the greatest last stands of the war, Harold Plumley's company suffered nearly 90 percent casualties in their desperate effort to 'Hold at all costs.'"

They succeeded and "joined those who gave everything they had for our country," added Ridenour, who was joined by Del. Tom Fast (R-Fayette, 51) in discussing Plumley's history in the House of Delegates earlier this year.

Harold Richard Plumley was born March 22, 1934 at Hamlet in Raleigh County, the son and one of 12 children of Mr. Earless Plumley and Mrs. Georgia Plumley of Prince. For his military service, Pvt. Plumley was previously awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation and the Army Good Conduct Medal, according to Totten.

In August 2023, the Republic of Korea awarded Pvt. Plumley its Ambassador for Peace Medal. The honor recognizes Americans, living and dead, who fought on the Korean Peninsula during the 1950-1953 war. Its accompanying proclamation read, in part, "It is a great honor and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy. We cherish in our hearts the memory of your boundless sacrifices in helping us reestablish our free nation."

According to Totten, the Raleigh County Veterans Museum in Beckley has a special exhibit on display about Plumley's service. The display features a replica, period-appropriate uniform with medals, personal belongings and artifacts provided by the Plumley family about his time preparing for and fighting in the Korean War.

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