Section 5. 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, to Joseph A. and Sheila (Wolfe) Merrill.
(2) Lance Corporal Merrill was a resident of Muncy 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.
(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.