HARRISBURG – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) will take part in a ceremony Friday designating the span carrying Route 53 over Bruebaker Run in Dean Township, Cambria County as the U.S. Army Technical Sergeant Joseph F. Johnston Memorial Bridge.
The ceremony will be held Friday, April 19, at 1 p.m. at Loretto American Legion, 277 St. Mary St., Loretto.
U.S. Army Technical Sergeant Joseph F. Johnston, the uncle of Senator Ward, was born Nov. 27, 1917. He grew up in Dean, Cambria County, and graduated from Cresson High School in 1938.
Technical Sergeant Johnston enlisted in the United States Army in June 1941 and served in nearly every area of the European Theater of Operations. He fought in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Sicily, and took part in the invasion of Normandy, France in June 1944.
For his actions during the battles of Tunisia, Technical Sergeant Johnston was awarded the Legion of Merit. He also received a Bronze Star, Silver Star and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal for his service to our country. Technical Sergeant Johnston passed away on Nov. 7, 2010.
The ceremony will include a PennDOT representative and veterans organizations.
CONTACT: Gwenn Dando