YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Two York County bridges will be dedicated to the memory of two veterans who gave their lives while fighting overseas, State Rep. Seth Grove announced on Tuesday.
The bridge carrying Route 74 in Dover Township will now be known as the Corporal William E. Heilman Memorial Bridge, while the bridge carrying Route 30 over Paradise Creek between Paradise and Jackson townships will be known as the Private Edward J. Stambaugh Memorial Bridge, the York County Republican said in a press release.
Grove said the dedications were included in Senate Bill 1144, now Act 63, which was signed by Governor Josh Shapiro on July 15.
“While we can never fully thank Cpl. Heilman and Pvt. Stambaugh and their families for their service to our nation, we can honor their memory,” Grove said. “This small gesture will honor their lives and legacy forever, while reminding us our freedom isn’t free. I also want to extend my thanks to the Stambaugh and Heilman families. Sharing your stories of loss is never easy, but it allows our community to offer this small gesture.”
William Emory Heilman was born in York County on Sept. 11, 1947. He entered the service of the United States Marine Corps on May 26, 1966, during the Vietnam War.
Heilman served in the Third Marine Amphibious Force, H&S Company. He served in Vietnam for eight months until he was struck by an artillery rocket mortar on May 5, 1968, and passed away in South Vietnam, Quang Nam Province.
For his valiant service, Heilman was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.
Enlisted in the U.S. Army on Sept. 8, 1942, Stambaugh served the country with valor and honor as a member of the M-Company, 116th Regiment, during World War II. The M-Company landed and fought in the Normandy invasion on D-Day. Surviving the beach invasion, Stambaugh and his company continued west through the French countryside, securing towns for Allied troops.
On June 16, 1944, troops moved toward St. Lo, France. Their advance was met with heavy enemy fire, and the report from M-Company listed that Stambaugh was killed in action.
Stambaugh was buried on June 23, 1944, at the La Cambe Cemetery located approximately 6.5 miles west of Omaha Beach.
On Jan. 20, 1948, Stambaugh’s remains, were returned to the United States. He was laid to peaceful rest on February 19, 1948, at the Paradise Holtzschwamm Lutheran Church Cemetery in Thomasville, York County. He was awarded a Purple Heart medal posthumously.
