Pennsylvania Act 2000-61 — VARIOUS COMMEMORATIVE INTERCHANGES, BRIDGE AND ROAD - DESIGNATIONS

Act text

VARIOUS COMMEMORATIVE INTERCHANGES, BRIDGE AND ROAD - DESIGNATIONS
                  Act of Jun. 22, 2000, P.L. 452, No. 61              Cl. 87
                                  AN ACT

     Designating certain interchanges on the Mon-Fayette Expressway,
        SR 43, in Washington and Fayette Counties as the Sergeant
        Archibald Mathies Interchange, the Colonel Mitchell Paige
        Interchange and the Corporal Alfred L. Wilson Interchange;
        designating a bridge in Fayette County as the Point Marion
        Area Veterans Memorial Bridge; designating a proposed
        intersection on State Route 43 with State Route 51 in
        Allegheny County; designating an intersection on State Route
        43 (Mon-Fayette Expressway) with Interstate Route 70 in
        Washington County; and designating a portion of State Route
        2027 in Westmoreland County as Charles Houck Road.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

     Section 1.  Interchange designations.
        (a)  Sergeant Archibald Mathies Interchange.--Exit 48 on SR
     43, the Mon-Fayette Expressway interchange with SR 1006 in
     Washington County, is hereby designated as the Sergeant
     Archibald Mathies Interchange.
        (b)  Colonel Mitchell Paige Interchange.--Exit 39 on SR 43,
     the Mon-Fayette Expressway interchange with SR 2025 in
     Washington County, is hereby designated as the Colonel Mitchell
     Paige Interchange.
        (c)  Corporal Alfred L. Wilson Interchange.--Exit 8 on SR 43,
     the Mon-Fayette Expressway interchange with SR 3029 in Fayette
     County, is hereby designated as the Corporal Alfred L. Wilson
     Interchange.
        (d)  Biographies.--The General Assembly hereby finds that:
            (1)  Born in Scotland, Sergeant Mathies entered military
        service at Pittsburgh in World War II and served with the
        510th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group, over Europe. He
        was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry
        and intrepidity at risk of life and beyond the call of duty.
        The citation reads:
            For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life
            above and beyond the call of duty in action against the
            enemy in connection with a bombing mission over enemy-
            occupied Europe on 20 February 1944. The aircraft on
            which Sgt. Mathies was serving as engineer and ball
            turret gunner was attacked by a squadron of enemy
            fighters with the result that the copilot was killed
            outright, the pilot wounded and rendered unconscious, the
            radio operator wounded and the plane severely damaged.
            Nevertheless, Sgt. Mathies and other members of the crew
            managed to right the plane and fly it back to their home
            station, where they contacted the control tower and
            reported the situation. Sgt. Mathies and the navigator
            volunteered to attempt to land the plane. Other members
            of the crew were ordered to jump, leaving Sgt. Mathies
            and the navigator aboard. After observing the distressed
            aircraft from another plane, Sgt. Mathies' commanding
            officer decided the damaged plane could not be landed by
            the inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and
            parachute to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed courage
            and heroism, Sgt. Mathies and the navigator replied that
            the pilot was still alive but could not be moved and they
            would not desert him. They were then told to attempt a
            landing. After two unsuccessful efforts, the plane
            crashed into an open field in a third attempt to land.
            Sgt. Mathies, the navigator, and the wounded pilot were
            killed.
            (2)  Born in Charleroi, Washington County, Colonel Paige,
        now 81 years old, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his
        extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action
        while serving as a marine noncommissioned officer in the
        Solomon Islands in World War II. The citation reads:
            For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in
            action above and beyond the call of duty while serving
            with a company of marines in combat against enemy
            Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 26 October
            1942. When the enemy broke through the line directly in
            front of his position, P/Sgt. Paige, commanding a machine
            gun section with fearless determination, continued to
            direct the fire of his gunners until all his men were
            either killed or wounded. Alone, against the deadly hail
            of Japanese shells, he fought with his gun and when it
            was destroyed, took over another, moving from gun to gun,
            never ceasing his withering fire against the advancing
            hordes until reinforcements finally arrived. Then,
            forming a new line, he dauntlessly and aggressively led a
            bayonet charge, driving the enemy back and preventing a
            breakthrough in our lines. His great personal valor and
            unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the
            highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
            (3)  Born in Fairchance, Greene County, Corporal Wilson
        served with the Medical Detachment, 328th Infantry, 26th
        Infantry Division, near Bezange la Petite, France, in World
        War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his
        distinguished devotion to duty and personal sacrifice which
        helped to save the lives of at least ten wounded men. The
        citation reads:
            He volunteered to assist as an aid man in a company other
            than his own, which was suffering casualties from
            constant artillery fire. He administered to the wounded
            and returned to his own company when a shellburst injured
            a number of its men. While treating his comrades he was
            seriously wounded, but refused to be evacuated by litter
            bearers sent to relieve him. In spite of great pain and
            loss of blood, he continued to administer first aid until
            he was too weak to stand. Crawling from one patient to
            another, he continued his work until excessive loss of
            blood prevented him from moving. He then verbally
            directed unskilled enlisted men in continuing the first
            aid for the wounded. Still refusing assistance himself,
            he remained to instruct others in dressing the wounds of
            his comrades until he was unable to speak above a whisper
            and finally lapsed into unconsciousness. The effects of
            his injury later caused his death. By steadfastly
            remaining at the scene without regard for his own safety,
            Cpl. Wilson through distinguished devotion to duty and
            personal sacrifice helped to save the lives of at least
            ten wounded men.
        (e)  Signing.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall
     erect appropriate signs to indicate these designations.
     Section 2.  Bridge designation.
        (a)  Point Marion Area Veterans Memorial Bridge.--The bridge
     carrying U.S. Route 119 over the Cheat River between Point
     Marion Borough and Springhill Township in Fayette County is
     designated the Point Marion Area Veterans Memorial Bridge.
        (b)  Signing.--At each end of the bridge designated in this
     section, the Department of Transportation shall erect and
     maintain signs which display the name of the bridge.
     Section 3.  Captain Reginald Desiderio Interchange.
        (a)  Designation.--The proposed interchange on State Route 43
     with State Route 51 in Jefferson Hills Borough, Allegheny
     County, is designated the Captain Reginald Desiderio
     Interchange.
        (b)  Plaque.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall
     erect a plaque indicating the accomplishments of Captain
     Reginald Desiderio in the Korean War which earned him the Medal
     of Honor as provided in subsection (c).
        (c)  Biography.--Reginald B. Desiderio was born September 12,
     1918, in Clairton, Pennsylvania. He entered the Army in Gilroy,
     California. Desiderio served as commanding officer with Company
     E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
        Near Ipsok, Korea, November 27, 1950, Captain Desiderio
     distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
     at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of
     duty. His company was given the mission of defending the command
     post of a task force against an enemy breakthrough. After
     personal reconnaissance during the darkness and under intense
     enemy fire, he placed his men in defensive positions to repel an
     attack. Early in the action he was wounded but refused
     evacuation and despite enemy fire continued to move among his
     men checking their positions and making sure each element was
     prepared to receive the next attack. Again wounded, Desiderio
     continued to direct his men. By inspiring leadership, he
     encouraged them to hold their position. In the subsequent
     fighting, when the fanatical enemy succeeded in penetrating the
     position, Desiderio personally charged them with rifle, carbine
     and grenades, inflicting many casualties until himself mortally
     wounded. Spurred on by his example, Company E repelled the final
     attack.
        Captain Desiderio's heroic leadership, courageous and loyal
     devotion to duty and his disregard for personal safety reflected
     the highest honor on himself and was in keeping with the highest
     traditions of the United States Army. His Medal of Honor was
     issued under General Order No. 58, August 2, 1951.
     Section 4.  Colonel Walter J. Marm, Jr., Interchange.
        (a)  Designation.--The interchange on State Route 43 (Mon-
     Fayette Expressway) with Interstate Route 70 in Washington
     County is designated the Colonel Walter J. Marm, Jr.,
     Interchange.
        (b)  Plaque.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall
     erect a plaque indicating the accomplishments of Colonel Walter
     J. Marm, Jr., in the Vietnam War which earned him the Medal of
     Honor as provided in subsection (c).
        (c)  Biography.--Walter J. Marm, Jr., was born November 20,
     1941, in Washington, Pennsylvania. He entered service at
     Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
        Near Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, November 14, 1965,
     Colonel (then Second Lieutenant) Marm distinguished himself by
     conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the constant risk of
     his life above and beyond the call of duty. His company was
     moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded
     by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. Colonel Marm led
     his platoon through withering fire until they were finally
     forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold
     very long and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his
     position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all
     four. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire
     from a concealed machine gun, he deliberately made himself known
     to draw its fire. Thus locating its position, he attempted to
     destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted
     casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly,
     disregarding the intense fire directed on him and his platoon,
     he charged 30 meters across open ground and hurled grenades into
     the enemy position, killing some of the eight insurgents manning
     it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended,
     armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his
     assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy.
     Colonel Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon,
     broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward
     the accomplishment of this mission.
        Colonel Marm's gallantries on the battlefield and his
     extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the
     highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great
     credit upon himself and the armed forces of his country. His
     Medal of Honor was issued under General Order No. 7, February
     15, 1967.
     Section 5.  Houck Road.
        (a)  Designation.--That portion of State Route 2027 from the
     intersection with State Route 981 south to the intersection of
     State Route 982, a distance of 2.9 miles, is hereby designated
     and shall be known as Charles Houck Road.
        (b)  Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and
     maintain road signs which shall display the name Charles Houck
     Road at the beginning and the end of the section of the highway
     designated in subsection (a).
     Section 6.  This act shall take effect as follows:
            (1)  Section 1 shall take effect in 180 days.
            (2)  Sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 shall take effect in 60 days.
            (3)  This section shall take effect immediately.