In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation designating a bridge over the West Branch Susquehanna River in Susquehanna Township, Cambria County, as the Seaman First Class Paul Kephart Memorial Bridge.

Paul Kephart was born in 1924 in Germantown, Susquehanna Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Paul attended Harnesboro High School where he graduated in 1943. Outside of work Paul enjoyed spending time with family. He was the youngest of 10 children to Mr. and Mrs. George Kephart of Germantown. Paul entered the United States Navy in 1943 and served as a Seaman First Class. Seaman First Class Paul Kephart was serving aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) off the Caroline Islands on July 30, 1945, when it was sunk off the coast of Leyte after being struck by torpedoes from a Japanese submarine. Seaman First Class Paul Kephart was lost in the incident and has not been associated with any remains recovered after the war. Seaman First Class Paul Kephart was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Certificate on March 27, 1946, and is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

Please consider joining me in honoring the service and sacrifice of Seaman First Class Paul Kephart.