PORT TOWNSEND — A stretch of scenic road that’s the main route between Port Townsend and points south and east is likely to be rededicated to the North Olympic Peninsula’s four most notable military heroes.
Jefferson County commissioners unanimously approved a request last month to rename the entire 14-mile stretch of state Highway 19 between its junctions with state Highways 20 and 104 as the North Olympic Peninsula Medal of Honor Memorial Highway.
The day before Veterans Day, the commissioners heard a presentation by Gerald Rettela of Port Angeles, who already has led efforts to establish the Korean War Memorial Highway (state Highways 113 and 112) in 2008, the Vietnam Memorial Highway (state Highway 112) in 2009 and the Desert Storm/Desert Shield Memorial Highway (state Highway 110) in 2010.
The newest designated highway, expected to be approved by the state Legislature, will recognize Navy Seabee Construction Mechanic Marvin G. Shields, the Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient whose name already is on the Port Townsend American Legion Hall.
In addition to Shields, the three other North Olympic Peninsula Medal of Honor recipients were cited in the commissioners’ resolution.
Cpl. Francis A. Bishop of Port Angeles and Cpl. Thaddeus S. Smith of Port Townsend had been Union soldiers in the Civil War before moving to the North Olympic Peninsula.
Bishop was awarded the Medal of Honor for capturing the Confederate flag in the Battle of Spotsylvania, Va., and Smith for his heroics at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
In 1944, during World War II, Marine Pfc. Richard B. Anderson, who grew up in the Agnew area between Port Angeles and Sequim, saved the lives of three other Marines on a Pacific island by covering the blast of a grenade with his body.
[The biographies and heroics of all four Medal of Honor recipients were chronicled in the Peninsula Daily News’ Veterans Day edition and can be read online at http://tinyurl.com/pdn-heroes.]
“This is absolutely wonderful,” said Port Townsend American Legion Post Commander Joe Carey.
“It’s a great acknowledgement of their service.”
“This is the kind of legislation that doesn’t cost a significant amount and is a good way to honor these people,” added John Austin, one of the three Jefferson County commissioners.
“It might also discourage future development out of respect.”
The proposal to rename the highway will be contained in a bill due in the 2015 Legislature sponsored by state Sen. Jim Hargrove and state Reps. Kevin Van De Wege and Steve Tharinger.
All three represent the 24th Legislative District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
On Tuesday, Rettela said he didn’t know of any reason why it would not be approved.
After legislative approval, the state will install two signs at each end of Highway 19.
Rettela said he would like to have a commemorative ceremony June 10, the 50th anniversary of Shields’ death.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
