Pennsylvania Act 2012-48 — PRIVATE FIRST CLASS EDWARD RITSICK MEMORIAL BRIDGE - DESIGNATION

Act text

AN ACT

Designating a bridge carrying State Route 607 over Freeman Run in the Borough of Austin, Potter County, as the Captain Edgar E. Nuschke Memorial Bridge; and designating a bridge carrying State Route 872 at Section 110 Offset 0960 over the East Fork of Sinnemahoning Creek in Wharton Township, Potter County, as the Private First Class Edward Ritsick Memorial Bridge.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Captain Edgar E. Nuschke Memorial Bridge.

(a) Declaration of policy.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) Captain Edgar E. Nuschke graduated from Austin High School and attended the University of Pittsburgh before entering the Army Air Corps.

(2) Captain Nuschke served in the United States Air Force and flew 100 successful missions during World War II.

(3) After his World War II service, Captain Nuschke continued his education at Northern Illinois College of Optometry.

(4) Captain Nuschke practiced optometry in Sacramento before being recalled into the Air Force in 1951 during the Korean War, during which he flew Strategic Air Command bombers.

(5) In 1966 Captain Nuschke was assigned to Vietnam as a forward air controller, flying L-19 Bird Dogs over enemy territory, and was responsible for gathering intelligence.

(6) Captain Nuschke was shot and killed while flying an O1G-observation aircraft in Vietnam.

(7) Captain Nuschke served his country for 22 years.

(8) Captain Nuschke is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 14E, Row 64.

(9) Captain Nuschke is buried in the veterans' section of the Glen Oaks Cemetery.

(b) Designation.--The bridge carrying State Route 607 over Freeman Run in the Borough of Austin, Potter County, is designated as the Captain Edgar E. Nuschke Memorial Bridge.

(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs to indicate the designation under subsection (b).

Section 2. Private First Class Edward Ritsick Memorial Bridge.

(a) Declaration of policy.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) Private First Class Edward Ritsick graduated from Austin High School and was an avid hunter and sportsman.

(2) Six months after graduating from high school, Private First Class Ritsick joined the United States Army where he was assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, and served as a light vehicle driver.

(3) Shortly after arriving in Vietnam, Private First Class Ritsick was killed in action on March 11, 1968, in Hau Nghia Province, South Vietnam.

(4) Private First Class Ritsick is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 44E, Line 20.

(5) Private First Class Ritsick is buried at St. Augustine Cemetery in Austin.

(b) Designation.--The bridge carrying State Route 872 at Section 110 Offset 0960 over the East Fork of Sinnemahoning Creek in Wharton Township, Potter County, is designated as the Private First Class Edward Ritsick Memorial Bridge.

(c) Signs.--The Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs to indicate the designation under subsection (b).

Section 3. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.