Two bridges in York County will be dedicated in honor of two veterans: Cpl. William E. Heilman and Pvt. Edward J. Stambaugh, according to state Rep. Seth Grove, R-Dover Township.
Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed Senate Bill 1144, now Act 63, that included the dedications.
“While we can never fully thank Cpl. Heilman and Pvt. Stambaugh and their families for their service to our nation, we can honor their memory,” Grove said in a news release. “This small gesture will honor their lives and legacy forever, while reminding us our freedom isn’t free. I also want to extend my thanks to the Stambaugh and Heilman families. Sharing your stories of loss is never easy, but it allows our community to offer this small gesture.”
Route 74 bridge to be named Cpl. William E. Heilman Memorial Bridge
The Route 74 bridge over the Little Conewago Creek in Dover Township will be named the Corporal William E. Heilman Memorial Bridge, the release states.
Heilman, who was born on Sept. 11, 1947, entered the United States Marine Corps on May 26, 1966 during the Vietnam War, the release states. He served in the Third Marine Amphibious Force, H&S Company. He was struck by an artillery rocket mortar on May 5, 1968 and died in South Vietnam, Quang Nam Province.
He received the following medals for his service: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the release states.
Route 30 bridge to be named Pvt. Edward J. Stambaugh Memorial Bridge
A bridge that carries Route 30 over Paradise Creek between Paradise and Jackson townships will be known as the Private Edward J. Stambaugh Memorial Bridge.
Stambaugh enlisted in the U.S. Army on Sept. 8, 1942 and served as a member of the M-Company, 116th Regiment, during World War II. He survived the Normandy invasion on D-Day and the company continued west through the French countryside, securing towns for Allied troops, the release states.
Stambaugh was killed during heavy enemy gunfire as troops moved toward St. Lo, France on June 16, 1944, the release states. He was buried at the La Cambe Cemetery, which is located about 6.5 miles west of Omaha Beach, for a few years until his remains were returned to the United States in early 1948.
He was laid to rest on Feb. 19, 1948 at Paradise Holtzschwamm Lutheran Church Cemetery. He recceived the Purple Heart medal posthumously.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Two York County bridges to be dedicated in honor of World War II and Vietnam War veterans
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