West Virginia dedicates bridge to Sgt. James Spurrier Jr.

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – West Virginia is dedicating a bridge to one decorated Army Veteran.

Sergeant James Spurrier Junior was a decorated soldier in the army, earning 18 medals in World War 2 and the nickname “the one man army” by liberating two French towns by himself.

On June 5, 2024 the West Virginia Division of Highways honored him again by naming a bridge on I77 after him.

Spurrier’s sister, Arlis Hope Spurrier-Mills said, “It is unbelievable that my brother’s name is everywhere; everyone will see it now. When we get our book written by the end of the year, I hope everybody will buy one and see what a terrific man he was, but that he had many demons he had to deal with every day of his life.”

Arlis’s book about her brother will be titled, “One-Man Army.”

For years, the Those Who Served War Museum tirelessly advocated with Spurrier’s family for the state to recognize Sergeant Spurrier for his war heroics.

Mercer County Commission President Bill Archer told 59News, “We need to continue to remember veterans. Especially when they start their civilian careers, it’s a difficult transition between wartime veteran into peacetime service to the community.”

The Sergeant Spurrier Bridge is located on East River Mountain at mile marker 9 on I77.

The ceremony for the bridge was held at West Virginia Department of Highways District 10 Headquarters.

Sergeant Spurrier was also a D-Day + 1 Veteran in World War 2.

He passed away in 1984.

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