FOR RELEASE: Thursday, May 20, 2021

For more information, contact: Audry Ricketts at 605-773-8242 or audry.ricketts@state.sd.us (South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs)

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony to honor Combat Veterans PVT David Crow and PVT Dale Crow.

The ceremony will be held Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 2:00 pm (MT) at the Bison High School (200 E. Carr Street).

The HWY 73 bridge near Summerville will be dedicated to these two cousins, formerly of Lemmon. Dale distinguished himself on September 6, 1950, while participating in an attack on a strongly defended enemy position located on Hill 285, near Sibi-ri, Korea. During the assault, Dale was seriously wounded; a comrade was dressing his wound when an enemy grenade fell close to them. Dale threw his body over that of his comrade, thereby receiving the full blast of the grenade which took his life.

David was killed instantly by enemy small arms fire on September 6, 1950, while his unit was waging a bitter fight on Hill 285 against an offensive by numerically superior hostile forces.  He too made a gallant stand and died a soldier’s death.  

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.

“Whenever and wherever this nation has called, in times of darkness and danger, as well as in times of peace and prosperity, veterans have been there and have proudly carried the torch of liberty for all to see.” said Greg Whitlock, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Our fallen heroes are no longer with us, but their memories live on in the hearts of their loved ones and our state,” said Whitlock. “Naming our South Dakota bridges in honor of our fallen will give us an opportunity to remember and respect the men and women who gave their lives in service to this nation.”

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