Section 18. Captain Leroy Freeman Berkebile Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Captain Leroy Freeman Berkebile was born October 31, 1920, in Hooversville and raised on his family's farm.
(2) Captain Berkebile's first experience flying was when a barnstormer offered him a ride in a biplane.
(3) In 1939, Captain Berkebile began learning to fly at the Somerset County Airport, and soon after, he acquired his first airplane, a Piper J-3 Cub, by trading his father's prized horse for a 1937 Ford automobile, which he then traded for the plane.
(4) Captain Berkebile enrolled in the United States Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1940, attended ground school at the Somerset County Airport, received flight instruction from Fayette Airways at the Connellsville Airport and obtained his pilot's license on May 8, 1941.
(5) During a flight at the Somerset County Airport, Captain Berkebile heard on the radio of Imperial Japan's attack on U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor, which inspired him to enlist in the United States Navy in 1942.
(6) Captain Berkebile commenced active duty as an Ensign in September 1942, and by 1945, he was assigned to the USS Tarawa, where he operated dive bombers and fighter aircraft like the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, Vought F4U Corsair and Grumman F6F Hellcat from aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater throughout World War II.
(7) After Captain Berkebile left active naval duty in 1947, he was assigned to Fighter Squadron 722 at United States Naval Air Station (NAS) Glenview in Illinois.
(8) During this time, Captain Berkebile became part owner and chief pilot of Canner's Aerial Crop Dusting Service in Pecatonica, Illinois.
(9) In 1951, Captain Berkebile was hired by American Airlines, but he quickly returned to active duty by volunteering for the Korean War.
(10) Upon his return, he became the Executive Officer of Fighter Squadron 92, known as the Silver Kings, stationed at United States NAS Almeda in California.
(11) During the War, Captain Berkebile served aboard the USS Valley Forge.
(12) On March 14, 1953, he led a strike mission with 22 jet fighters and attack planes, targeting an enemy supply area near Ham-Hung, North Korea, and, despite heavy enemy fire, Captain Berkebile and his squadron destroyed all hostile anti-aircraft positions with no aircraft lost under his skillful direction in an area notorious for intense anti-aircraft fire.
(13) For his actions Captain Berkebile was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his extraordinary achievement in aerial flight, unwavering dedication to duty and commitment to upholding the highest standards of the United States Naval Service.
(14) After the war, Captain Berkebile taught the air-to-air combat training program as the United States Navy Fleet Air Gunnery Instructor at United States NAS El Centro in California, more popularly known as the United States Navy's "Top Gun" School.
(15) In 1954, Captain Berkebile transitioned from active duty and returned to United States NAS Glenview as part of the United States Naval Reserves with Fighter Squadron 725.
(16) Concurrent with his reserve service, Captain Berkebile resumed his work and steadily advanced through the ranks of American Airlines during the 1960s and ultimately became the Area Director of Flight for the Midwest Region, based at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, a position he held until his retirement in 1980.
(17) While working for American Airlines, Captain Berkebile received his promotion to Navy Captain in 1963 and served in various Air Wing Command roles, which culminated in his appointment as Air Wing Commander in 1967.
(18) Captain Berkebile marked the end of his reserve service by flying transport and supply aircraft during the Vietnam War and his heroic actions continued throughout his career at American Airlines.
(19) On June 23, 1972, American Airlines Flight 119, en route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, was hijacked by a man with a submachine gun and explosives.
(20) Upon the flight's return to St. Louis, Captain Berkebile volunteered to serve as the relief pilot of the Boeing 727 when the hijacker allowed a fresh crew onboard and Captain Berkebile was awarded American Airlines' Distinguished Service Award for the great personal risk he assumed and for his professionalism and composure under immense pressure.
(21) On June 20, 1979, Captain Berkebile planned, organized and directed law enforcement's response to the hijacking of American Airlines Flight 293, en route from New York City, New York, to Chicago, Illinois.
(22) Once more, Captain Berkebile's professionalism garnered recognition from the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as multiple state and local governments and law enforcement agencies.
(23) On Captain Berkebile's last day at American Airlines in 1980, he piloted all four types of aircraft operated by the Airline: a Boeing 707, 727, 747 and a DC-10, an unprecedented feat at the time.
(24) Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Captain Berkebile continued his aviation career as a pilot for Priester Aviation, LLC, and even became Frank Sinatra's personal pilot.
(25) Over the course of his life, Captain Berkebile was awarded numerous medals, commendations and awards for his exemplary naval service during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
(26) In recognition of Captain Berkebile's service in World War II, he was honored with the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, China Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal.
(27) In recognition of Captain Berkebile's contributions during the Korean War, he was honored with four Air Medals for meritorious achievement in aerial flight, the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, which included the Combat Distinguished Device Award, and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his extraordinary actions on March 14, 1953.
(28) In recognition of Captain Berkebile's contributions during the Vietnam War, he was honored with the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
(29) In recognition of Captain Berkebile's lifetime of service, he was honored with the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Naval Reserve Medal, United Nations Service Medal, a Navy Unit Commendation for outstanding heroism, an Aviation Safety Award while serving as the Commanding Officer at United States NAS Glenview and the Noel Davis Trophy in 1968 for the most efficient unit in the United States Navy Reserve.
(30) Captain Berkebile passed away peacefully on May 17, 2016.
(31) He is remembered as an American hero for his pioneering role in the airline industry and jet age, his remarkable seven-decade aviation career, totaling more than 33,000 flight hours, his extraordinary naval service and his many other contributions to the United States.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified by Bridge Key 31447, carrying Pennsylvania Route 403 over the Stonycreek River in Quemahoning Township, Somerset County, is designated the Captain Leroy Freeman Berkebile 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.