Senate Passes Legislation Honoring Two Local Vietnam War Heroes
November 7, 2019
Steve Wilson News
COLUMBUS—On Wednesday, State Senator Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) announced the unanimous Senate passage of House Bill 276, legislation honoring two local war heroes who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.
A portion of State Route 63 will be recognized as the SFC John E. Conger, Jr. Memorial Highway. SFC Conger was determined to be missing in action on January 27,1969 while serving in Vietnam. On the day SFC Conger went missing, his unit, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Brigade, was conducting a search and destroy mission when they came under fire from enemy machine guns. SFC Conger attempted to take out the enemy machine gun nest when he was reportedly wounded in the shoulder and neck. None of the wounded could be reached as a result of the machine gun fire and the Army changed his status to presumed dead in 1978.
In addition, a portion of State Route 122 will be named after SFC Charles E. Carpenter Memorial Highway. SFC Charles E. Carpenter was on his third tour of duty when he was killed by a small-arms fire during a hostile conflict. Charles was a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly known as Green Berets, and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his service to our country.
"I hope you will join me this coming Veterans Day in honoring the fallen, including SFC Conger and SFC Carpenter, as well as the living who have served and are serving our nation. These road designations will ensure that the legacies of these men live on, and also serve as a reminder for us to recognize the bravery and service of all the men and women who protect our freedom."
House Bill 276 was amended this week in the Senate Transportation Committee to include other road designations from throughout the state. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for a vote of concurrence on these amendments.
A portion of State Route 63 will be recognized as the SFC John E. Conger, Jr. Memorial Highway. SFC Conger was determined to be missing in action on January 27,1969 while serving in Vietnam. On the day SFC Conger went missing, his unit, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Brigade, was conducting a search and destroy mission when they came under fire from enemy machine guns. SFC Conger attempted to take out the enemy machine gun nest when he was reportedly wounded in the shoulder and neck. None of the wounded could be reached as a result of the machine gun fire and the Army changed his status to presumed dead in 1978.
In addition, a portion of State Route 122 will be named after SFC Charles E. Carpenter Memorial Highway. SFC Charles E. Carpenter was on his third tour of duty when he was killed by a small-arms fire during a hostile conflict. Charles was a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly known as Green Berets, and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his service to our country.
"I hope you will join me this coming Veterans Day in honoring the fallen, including SFC Conger and SFC Carpenter, as well as the living who have served and are serving our nation. These road designations will ensure that the legacies of these men live on, and also serve as a reminder for us to recognize the bravery and service of all the men and women who protect our freedom."
House Bill 276 was amended this week in the Senate Transportation Committee to include other road designations from throughout the state. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for a vote of concurrence on these amendments.