November 27, 1917, and grew up in Dean, Cambria County.
(2) He was a 1938 graduate of Cresson High School.
(3) In June 1941, Technical Sergeant Johnston enlisted
in the United States Army and was assigned to the 9th
Division, 39th Infantry Regiment where he became a technical
sergeant and platoon leader.
(4) Technical Sergeant Johnston's service took him to
every Atlantic theater of action including the United
Kingdom, North Africa and most of Western Europe.
(5) Technical Sergeant Johnston fought in Algeria,
Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, England, Belgium and
Germany and was at the invasion of Normandy on June 12, 1944.
(6) During the battles of Tunisia, Technical Sergeant
Johnston, then a corporal, took command of his platoon in the
absence of his platoon leader and sergeant. In blackout
conditions, Technical Sergeant Johnston led his platoon under
heavy enemy shelling and machine gun fire and through
difficult mountainous terrain to deliver supplies to those
fighting on the front lines.
(7) For his actions during the battles of Tunisia,
Technical Sergeant Johnston was awarded the Legion of Merit.
(8) Technical Sergeant Johnston also received a Bronze
Star and Sliver Star for his service to our country.
(9) Technical Sergeant Johnston passed away on November
7, 2010.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8392,
carrying Pennsylvania Route 53, over Bruebaker Run in Dean
Township, Cambria County, is designated as the U.S. Army
Technical Sergeant Joseph F. Johnston Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and
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