Section 4. Colonel Walter J. Marm, Jr., Interchange.
(a) Designation.--The interchange on State Route 43 (Mon- Fayette Expressway) with Interstate Route 70 in Washington County is designated the Colonel Walter J. Marm, Jr., Interchange.
(b) Plaque.--The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission shall erect a plaque indicating the accomplishments of Colonel Walter J. Marm, Jr., in the Vietnam War which earned him the Medal of Honor as provided in subsection (c).
(c) Biography.--Walter J. Marm, Jr., was born November 20, 1941, in Washington, Pennsylvania. He entered service at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Near Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, November 14, 1965, Colonel (then Second Lieutenant) Marm distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the constant risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. Colonel Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all four. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machine gun, he deliberately made himself known to draw its fire. Thus locating its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed on him and his platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground and hurled grenades into the enemy position, killing some of the eight insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy. Colonel Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of this mission.
Colonel Marm's gallantries on the battlefield and his extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of his country. His Medal of Honor was issued under General Order No. 7, February 15, 1967.