A05350
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1407
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY EVERETT, WHEELAND, HENNESSEY, KOTIK, BENNINGHOFF,
COHEN, ROZZI, READSHAW, BAKER, DUSH, SONNEY, REGAN,
DiGIROLAMO, HARHART, CAUSER, VEREB, MARSICO, PICKETT, MURT,
McNEILL, MAJOR, MILLARD, DAVIS, DONATUCCI, GROVE, HAHN, RAPP,
SANKEY, COX, GOODMAN, BARRAR, PAYNE, THOMAS, M. K. KELLER,
FARINA, YOUNGBLOOD, GILLEN AND JOZWIAK, JUNE 25, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JUNE 25, 2015
AN ACT
Designating a bridge on State Route 2014 over the Muncy Creek in
Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming County, as the Private Walter
L. Smith Spanish-American War Memorial Bridge.; and
designating a portion of State Route 2044 in Lycoming County
as the Lance Corporal William F. Merrill Vietnam Veterans
Highway.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Private Walter L. Smith Spanish-American War
Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as
follows:
(1) Private Walter L. Smith was born on April 27, 1877,
in Muncy, Lycoming County. He was the son of David S. Smith,
a Civil War veteran, and Hannah (Colley) Smith. Private Smith
served in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine
Insurrection.
(2) Private Smith first entered the service at
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Williamsport on May 7, 1898, and mustered into service May
12, 1898, as a private in Company D, 12th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry. He mustered out and was honorably
discharged on November 1, 1898.
(3) Private Smith reenlisted on November 11, 1898, at
Philadelphia during the Time of the Peace Jubilee, with the
rank of Private in the U.S. Army, Company I, 1st U.S.
Volunteer Infantry, as a member of the foot service, heavy
artillery. From December 29, 1898, to September 6, 1900, he
was assigned to Guanajay Barracks, Cuba. He arrived in the
Philippines on April 15, 1901.
(4) On July 28, 1901, while on a supply patrol with a
small detachment, Private Smith bravely and selflessly
defended members of his company against an overwhelming
ambush attack by approximately 60 native insurgents at Don
Carlon, Samar, Philippine Islands. During the engagement, his
Sergeant, the only other man who was armed, was shot and
killed by the insurgents. As Private Smith courageously and
fearlessly fought alone, two unarmed soldiers were able to
escape and return to camp. Private Smith was soon overpowered
by the enemy and severely wounded, being stabbed several
times. He was captured and taken prisoner. The U.S. Army
conducted multiple searches to locate Private Smith.
(5) Private Walter L. Smith was listed as missing in
action until February 10, 1902, when the fact was
established, beyond a doubt, that he had met his death at the
hands of the insurgents on the date of his capture, July 28,
1901. His remains were never recovered for return home to his
family in Muncy.
(b) Designation.--The bridge on State Route 2014 over the
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Muncy Creek in Muncy Creek Township, Lycoming County, is hereby
designated the Private Walter L. Smith Spanish-American War
Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and
maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the bridge to
traffic in both directions of the bridge.
Section 2. Lance Corporal William F. Merrill Vietnam Veterans
Highway.
(a) Findings.--
(1) Lance Corporal William Franklin Merrill was born
August 20, 1948, in Muncy, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, to
Joseph A. and Sheila (Wolfe) Merrill.
(2) Lance Corporal Merrill was a resident of Muncy,
Pennsylvania, before enlisting in the United States Marine
Corps on May 6, 1968, at 20 years of age.
(3) Lance Corporal Merrill was assigned to India
Company, Third Battalion, First Marines in Vietnam as a
radioman.
(4) On May 12, 1969, while on a search and clear
mission, Lance Corporal Merrill's company came under heavy
enemy small arms and repeating fire.
(5) With complete disregard for his own personal safety,
Lance Corporal Merrill ran across open and fire-swept terrain
to retrieve a fallen comrade.
(6) Lance Corporal Merrill immediately administered
first aid to the wounded marine and carried the marine to a
safer area where he could receive further treatment, helping
to save his life.
(7) On August 7, 1969, Lance Corporal Merrill himself
was wounded but returned to duty.
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(8) On November 26, 1969, the first squad of the third
platoon, including squad leaders and lieutenants, was sent on
a special night activity to conduct an ambush.
(9) After the ambush, as nine marines were returning to
their company's position, a wire attached to a booby trap was
tripped.
(10) Lance Corporal Merrill guarded the device and
called for his sergeant as the rest of the marines made their
way through the danger area.
(11) After the other marines had safely crossed the
ravine where the booby trap was located, the device
detonated, killing Lance Corporal Merrill instantly and
fatally wounding his sergeant.
(b) Designation.--The section of State Route 2044 in
Lycoming County from the bridge over Glade Run to the
intersection of State Routes 405 and 422 is hereby designated
the Lance Corporal William F. Merrill Vietnam Veterans Highway.
(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and
maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the highway to
traffic in both directions on the highway.
Section 2 3. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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