Burns hosts ceremony dedicating Cresson bridge after Marine killed in action in Vietnam
Rep. Frank Burns August 17, 2018 | 1:02 PM
CRESSON, Aug. 17 – Surrounded by the sisters, nephews and nieces of a Vietnam War hero killed in action while loading injured fellow Marines onto a medical helicopter, state Rep. Frank Burns presided over dedication of the Cpl. Robert J. Sherwood Jr. Memorial Bridge this morning at Cresson American Legion Post 238.
Burns noted that Sherwood, who was born in Altoona but resided in Cresson when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, died at 19 after being mortally wounded in the 1967 skirmish in Quang Tin province.
“Corporal Sherwood embodied the highest American ideals, that being love of country and a willingness to sacrifice his own life in an attempt to aid members of his unit after they came under enemy attack while on patrol,” Burns said. “He did not duck and cover; instead, he threw himself in harm’s way, a noble decision that cost him his own life. We should all have such a dedicated friend.”
The renaming of the bridge in Sherwood’s honor was legislatively initiated by Burns as H.B. 1251 and became law with passage of Act 9 of 2018. The bridge is located on a portion of Pennsylvania Route 53 over U.S. Route 22 in Cresson Township.
Sherwood’s sisters Nora Sherwood, Ella Conigy and Donna Sherwood are among the family members who attended the ceremony. Nieces Eunice Wilkins, Regina Hill and Jessica Link were also on hand, along with nephews Gregory Gaida and Steve Gaida Jr.
Burns noted that Sherwood is honored on Panel 17E, Line 96 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and his military awards included the Purple Heart, Paratrooper Wings, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and a sharpshooter designation.