Section 5. Seaman 2nd Class Louis J. Benzie WWII Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) One of nine children, Louis J. Benzie was born on February 25, 1924, to Josephine and Louis Benzie in Dysart.
(2) He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Seaman 2nd Class, and was assigned to the destroyer USS Maddox which departed Norfolk, Virginia, on June 8, 1943.
(3) The USS Maddox became a unit of Task Force 81, the assault force for the invasion of Sicily, Italy.
(4) On July 10, 1943, the USS Maddox was attacked by a German dive bomber while on antisubmarine patrol about 16 miles off the shore of Sicily, taking a direct hit. The ship rolled over and sank within two minutes.
(5) During the attack, Seaman 2nd Class Louis J. Benzie was killed in action at the age of 19, along with many of his fellow sailors.
(6) Seaman 2nd Class Louis J. Benzie's body was never recovered. He was declared dead on July 11, 1944, and awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8391, on that portion of Pennsylvania Route 53 over Laurel Run, also known as Lost Creek, in Dean Township, Cambria County, is designated as the Seaman 2nd Class Louis J. Benzie WWII 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.