Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
PFC RONALD JAMES FITCH MEMORIAL HIGHWAY http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 6208 as referred to second committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Graham Filler http://www.legislature.mi.gov
1st Committee: Transportation
2nd Committee: Ways and Means
Complete to 12-12-20
SUMMARY:
House Bill 6208 would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to dedicate the portion
of highway US-127 between Wildcat Road and Livingston Road in Clinton County as the
“PFC Ronald James Fitch Memorial Highway.”
Proposed MCL 250.2110
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
According to committee testimony and the Military Honor Wall, Ronald James Fitch was
born on February 10, 1947. He lived in St. Johns in Clinton County. Ronald enlisted in the
U.S. Marine Corps, completed basic training, and was assigned to 3353-Amphibious Cargo
Carrier Operator as his Military Occupational Specialty. He was later assigned to Otter
Platoon, H&S Company, 3rd Motor Transport BN, 3rd MarDiv, III MAF. He was deployed
to Thua Thien Province, Vietnam, in early 1967 and assigned to Operation Big Horn in
April 1967.
Operation Big Horn commenced on April 4, and PFC Fitch was deployed with his company
out of Dong Ha along the “Street Without Joy.” On April 5, a convoy with PFC Fitch was
ambushed, and two resupply Otters were disabled, with five wounded. Delta tried to break
through to relieve the ambush site but withdrew to allow the enemy to penetrate through
the ambush site to set up a defense perimeter. The decision was made to sweep the adjacent
hamlet Ap Dong Ho to set up a secure evacuation site for the wounded. Thirty meters from
the hamlet, the lead platoon was met with heavy machine gun and small arm fire, along
with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. All but one in the lead platoon were killed.
Private First Class Ronald James Fitch was 20 years of age.
Dedicating a portion of highway US-127 in Clinton County would be an appropriate way
to honor his service and ultimate sacrifice to his community and our state.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Section 2 of the Michigan Memorial Highway Act indicates that the state transportation
department shall provide for the erection of suitable markers indicating the name of the
highway only "when sufficient private contributions are received to completely cover the
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
 cost of erecting and maintaining those markers." As a result, the bill has no state or local
fiscal impact.
POSITIONS:
The Michigan Department of Transportation indicated a neutral position on the bill. (12-3-
20)
Legislative Analyst: E. Best
Fiscal Analyst: William E. Hamilton
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency HB 6208 as referred from Transportation Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 250.1001, 250.2091