The county Highway and Bridge Committee is considering naming the Shellsford Bridge after a Vietnam War veteran from McMinnville. 

Larry Pack attended the committee meeting Tuesday and told commissioners he would like to have the bridge on Shellsford Road named after his first cousin, Wilbur Leon Green, who was killed in the Vietnam War.

“I have a first cousin who got killed in Vietnam in ’69 and had four tours over in Vietnam and got killed about three days after being home for a funeral. I’ve been talking to the County Executive and he said to talk to y’all about maybe getting the Shellsford Bridge named after him,” said Pack.

The committee told him it could be a lengthy process once they start researching and Pack says he has been trying to get something in memory of his cousin for 52 years. 

Wilbur Leon Green was born April 23, 1945 and was killed in action on May 8, 1969. He was a resident of Warren County and attended church in the Shellsford area and is buried at Shellsford Cemetery. 

He enlisted in the United States Army and began his tour of Vietnam on Feb. 19, 1968. Green had the rank of Staff Sergeant and his military occupation or specialty was Infantry Indirect Fire Crewman. 

The commendations he received for his service include: Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Army Good Conduct Medal. Green is also honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

The committee made a motion to research Green and the bridge to see if it has already been named and then look into getting things in motion. Since the bridge is on a state route, the recommendation would also have to go to the state in addition to the full Warren County Commission.