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.