Section 45. Staff Sergeant William Stivison Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds as follows:
(1) Staff Sergeant William J. Stivison was born July 19, 1919, in Homer City, Indiana County.
(2) Staff Sergeant Stivison attended Homer City High School and later the Bliss Electrician School.
(3) In 1935, Staff Sergeant Stivison joined the National Guard and then, in 1941, he joined the United States Army where he became a Staff Sergeant and Section Leader and a member of the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion.
(4) On March 30, 1945, Staff Sergeant Stivison encountered surprise enemy fire while moving into position in Germany. Staff Sergeant Stivison led his platoon in an attack so rapid and determined that the outer defenses of the enemy were speedily overwhelmed.
(5) During this assault, Staff Sergeant Stivison demolished a machine gun nest and killed nine enemy soldiers and continued to attack toward the inner defenses. When his platoon was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from commanding ground on both flanks, Staff Sergeant Stivison completely ignored personal safety, twice exposing himself to heavy enemy fire to carry wounded men to cover.
(6) When his platoon was ordered to withdraw, Staff Sergeant Stivison remained to draw the fire of the enemy away while his comrades withdrew.
(7) For his bravery, Staff Sergeant Stivison received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts with two Oak Clusters.
(8) After the war, Staff Sergeant Stivison spent his lifetime volunteering with his local fire department, fishing, hunting, camping and square dancing.
(9) On April 2, 2007, Staff Sergeant Stivison died in his sleep at his home in Homer City, Indiana County.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 68411, carrying Jacksonville Road (State Route 3016) over Two Lick Creek in Homer City, Indiana County, is designated the Staff Sergeant William Stivison 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.