Pennsylvania SB 1187: An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 45346, carrying Pennsylvania Route 653 over Buffalo Creek in Garrett Borough, Somerset County, as the Corporal Harold L. Gray Memorial Bridge.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1435
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1187
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY STEFANO, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
AN ACT
Designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 45346, carrying
Pennsylvania Route 653 over Buffalo Creek in Garrett Borough,
Somerset County, as the Corporal Harold L. Gray Memorial
Bridge.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Corporal Harold L. Gray Memorial Bridge.
(a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds and declares as
follows:
(1) Corporal Harold L. Gray was born February 5, 1915,
in Coal Run, a small 10-house coal mining settlement in
Summit Township, Somerset County, located between Meyersdale
and Salisbury.
(2) Corporal Gray was the son of Dorthea Ritenour Gray
and John Gray, living among coal mining families and his
extended relatives.
(3) In the early 1920s, Corporal Gray's family relocated
to Garrett, where he spent his formative years.
(4) Following the death of his father in 1936, Corporal
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Gray left school at 15 years of age to work in the coal mines
to support his family.
(5) Later in the late 1930s, Corporal Gray moved to
Akron, Ohio, to live with relatives, train as a boxer under
his uncle, a professional fighter, and work as a baker
decorating cakes, earning recognition for his skill and
creativity.
(6) In 1942, aware that his draft number was
approaching, Corporal Gray walked from Garrett to Cumberland,
Maryland, to enlist in the United States Navy. When Corporal
Gray returned home, he found his draft notice had already
been issued.
(7) During World War II, Corporal Gray was enlisted in
the United States Army and assigned to Company C, 25th
Armored Engineers, Sixth Armored Division, Third United
States Army, commanded by General George S. Patton.
(8) Due to Corporal Gray's background as a coal miner,
he possessed the necessary expertise in handling explosives,
making him well-suited for engineering assignments.
(9) During the war, Corporal Gray participated in the
invasion of Normandy, where he suffered his first injury
while engaged in combat in the hedgerows of northern France.
(10) Later, at the Battle of the Bulge, Corporal Gray's
unit took part in the breakthrough during the siege of
Bastogne, Belgium, a critical Allied counteroffensive that
helped turn the tide against German forces in Western Europe.
(11) Near the end of the war, while on a mission to
clear a minefield near Hillesheim, Germany, Corporal Gray was
severely wounded by enemy machine gun fire that claimed the
lives of his entire squad.
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(12) Despite sustaining a leg wound, Corporal Gray
feigned death to avoid enemy detection. Under the cover of
darkness, he eventually returned to alert his division that
the minefield remained unclear, saving numerous lives.
(13) For Corporal Gray's extraordinary bravery, he was
awarded the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart
with oak leaf cluster and a Presidential Unit Citation.
(14) In recognition of Corporal Gray's service and
awards, he was mustered out prior to the war's end and
transferred to Fort Indiantown Gap, where he served as a
noncommissioned officer responsible for mustering out other
troops.
(15) On August 18, 1945, Corporal Gray married Lily
Diehl Gray while still in military service.
(16) In 1950, after returning to Garrett, Corporal Gray
and his wife purchased a 75-acre farm where they lived and
raised three sons. Over the next 39 years, Corporal Gray
returned to work in the coal mines, demonstrating a lifelong
commitment to his family's and the region's mining heritage.
(17) Following the closure of the coal mines, Corporal
Gray worked for the Borough of Garrett, maintaining the
streets and water system by applying his engineering
expertise, including assisting the Army Corps of Engineers
with ice-jam removal on the Casselman River.
(18) During his life, Corporal Gray was known for his
intellect, athleticism, work ethic and commitment to
community, as well as his talents in mathematics, hunting,
gardening and boxing.
(19) On November 2, 1997, Corporal Gray passed away at
Lee Hospital in Johnstown.
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(20) Corporal Harold L. Gray's life was defined by
resilience, perseverance and integrity. From his courage and
sacrifice during World War II to his enduring contributions
at home, his legacy reflects lifelong service to his
community, this Commonwealth and the nation, and is deserving
of public recognition and lasting commemoration.
(b) Designation.--The bridge, identified as Bridge Key
45346, carrying Pennsylvania Route 653 over Buffalo Creek in
Garrett Borough, Somerset County, is designated the Corporal
Harold L. Gray Memorial Bridge.
(c) Signs.--The Department of T