Jul. 17, 2024

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) announced today two bridges in York County will be dedicated to the memory of two York County-born veterans, Cpl. William E. Heilman and Pvt. Edward J. Stambaugh. These dedications were included in Senate Bill 1144, now Act 63, which was signed by the governor 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.”

The bridge carrying PA Route 74 in Dover Township, York County, will now be known as the Corporal William E. Heilman Memorial Bridge. William Emory Heilman was born in York County on Sept. 11, 1947. Heilman 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 on 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.

The bridge carrying U.S. Route 30 over Paradise Creek between Paradise Township and Jackson Township, York County, will now be known as the Private Edward J. Stambaugh Memorial Bridge. 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 on the report from M-Company it listed 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.

Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Charlie O’Neill
717.260.6121
coneill@pahousegop.com
RepGrove.com / Facebook.com/RepSethGrove
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