Section 9. Sergeant Melvin G. Ehrhart Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Melvin G. Ehrhart was born on September 28, 1948, and served in the United States Army, where he reached the rank of sergeant.
(2) From October 10, 1968, until his death on April 28, 1969, Sergeant Ehrhart served with Company D, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam.
(3) Sergeant Ehrhart actively participated in aerial missions over hostile territory in support of counterinsurgency operations.
(4) On April 28, 1969, Sergeant Ehrhart's platoon came under attack from a numerically superior hostile force, and he courageously exposed himself to danger in order to direct his troops into effective fighting positions.
(5) Although seriously wounded by an enemy grenade, Sergeant Ehrhart continued to lead his men until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire.
(6) For his extraordinary heroism, Sergeant Ehrhart was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
(7) Prior to his death, Sergeant Ehrhart was recognized with the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism for his actions on January 25, 1969.
(8) On that date, Sergeant Ehrhart's platoon was on a cordon and search mission when it twice encountered command detonated mines and heavy automatic and semi-automatic weapons.
(9) While under enemy fire, Sergeant Ehrhart gave a detailed account of the situation and relayed instructions to the squads.
(10) Sergeant Ehrhart was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, the Air MedalSecond Oak Leaf, the Army Commendation Medal-First Oak Leaf Cluster with "V" Device, the Bronze Star, the Bronze StarFirst Oak Leaf and the Bronze Star-Second Oak Leaf.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified by Bridge Key 46789, on that portion of State Route 3012 over Back Creek on the border of Hamilton Township and St. Thomas Township, Franklin County, is designated the Sergeant Melvin G. Ehrhart 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 on the bridge.