The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony tomorrow (July 16, 2022) to honor U.S. Army Private First Class David R. Gatton.
The White River Bridge on US HWY 83, south of Murdo will be dedicated to PFC Gatton. The ceremony will be at 1pm CT at the Capitol Lake Visitors Center in Pierre.
Gatton, whose home of entry was Harrold, enlisted in the U.S. Army and began his Vietnam tour of duty on September 11, 1966. His squad was in an ambush position on a road crossing near Phuoc Vinh when their patrol contacted a large enemy company. During the engagement, Gatton was fatally wounded by mortar fragments and died December 29, 1966.
Naming bridges in honor of our combat veterans who died while serving their country is an initiative of Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Departments of Military, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs.
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