The small town of Prince in the U.S. state of West Virginia is a small town in the southern region of the state on the New River inside the New River Gorge. This small town owes its existence to the coal industry and a passenger train station that was built by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, and it remains an active train station today with service from Amtrak. As you drive through the town on West Virginia Route 41, you come upon the U.S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley Memorial Bridge crossing over what is now the CSX railroad line. Many of you are wondering who Harold Richard Plumley is, and you are wondering what is special about him that they would name a bridge after him.
Harold Richard Plumley was born on March 22, 1934, in the town of Prince, West Virginia. As a child and a young man, he spent much of his time around the railroad. On his way to school, he would walk through the Strecherneck Tunnel, a railroad tunnel built by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, and it is still in use by the CSX Railroad today. He later became an employee of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway working around the New River Gorge. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He would depart the town of Prince by train from the old train station. Sadly, it was the last time his friends and family would see him… alive.
Harold Richard Plumley fought in the Korean War, and he fought in the Battle of Outpost Harry where he was killed in battle on June 11, 1953. His remains was brought by train to the same train station that he departed from when he went to war.
Years later, efforts were organized to have the bridge named in honor of Harold Richard Plumley. A bill to have the bridge named for Plumley was erected in Charleston, the state capitol of West Virginia, by a delegate named William Ridenour. The bill passed unanimously in both the State House and the State Senate.
On Thursday, October 25, 2023, a ceremony was held in the town of Prince, West Virginia. The United States Army Private Harold Richard Plumley Memorial Bridge was dedicated. In attendance was William Ridenour, a representative of West Virginia Senator Joseph Manchin, Harold Plumley’s brother and two sisters, reporters from two local television stations, and members of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Historical Society.
The U.S. Army PV2 Harold Richard Plumley Memorial Bridge is located on West Virginia Route 41 in Prince, West Virginia on the west side of the town crossing the CSX rail line. It is eight miles northeast of Beckley and U.S. Route 19 and Interstates 64 and 77, and twelve miles south of U.S. Route 60 and Babcock State Park. (It is the home of the world famous Glade Grist Mill.) Other than an automobile, the only other way the town can be accessed is by Amtrak. Please note that there is no parking at the bridge itself.
Many of us wish each other a Happy Memorial Day, but to those who lost their friends and family who were serving in the United States Armed Forces, it is not a happy day as they spend the rest of their lives without them by their side. Let us spend this day remembering those men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we could live ours. Harold Richard Plumley was among those who gave his life for his country. May we forever be grateful for his service.
Please note that the photograph of Private Harold Richard Plumley is courtesy of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Historical Society who owns the copyright and has granted permission to use this photo for the article.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 