Section 44. Private Samuel H. Thompson Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Samuel H. Thompson was born in Coalmont Borough, Huntingdon County, on August 22, 1913.
(2) Private Thompson enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
(3) Private Thompson served in the Philippines during World War II in the 20th Air Base Group attached to the 28th Materiel Squadron.
(4) Private Thompson was captured during the Battle of the Philippines after the fall of Corregidor Island to the Japanese in early 1942.
(5) Private Thompson was sent to the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in Central Luzon, Philippines, where he died of illness and malnutrition on October 29, 1942, at 29 years of age.
(6) Private Thompson is interred in Plot D, Row 3, Grave 209, at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines.
(7) For his valiant service, Private Thompson was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 52783, carrying Pennsylvania Route 913 over Shoup Run in Coalmont Borough, Huntingdon County, is designated the Private Samuel H. Thompson 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.