The Bucks County-owned bridge over Mill Creek in Middletown Township has been rededicated in memory of a Levittown Marine who died while serving his country in the Vietnam War.
Previously County Bridge #15, the Cpl. David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge was officially renamed Saturday morning during a brief ceremony attended by dozens of veterans’ advocates, neighbors, government officials and friends of the late corporal.
PHOTO: A member of the Warriors' Watch Riders carries an American flag Saturday, March 18, 2023, ahead of a ceremony to rededicate Bucks County Bridge #15 in memory of fallen Levittown Marine Cpl. David John Ortals.
“It is our solemn duty to keep the memories of heroes like Cpl. Ortals alive in any way we can,” said Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie. “While this may be just a small gesture when compared to what they’ve sacrificed, we as a County are proud to remember and honor those who gave everything in service to their community and country.”
The bridge is located along Frosty Hollow Road between Upper Orchard and Juniper drives near where Ortals lived in Levittown. Born Feb. 6, 1948, Ortals attended Bishop Egan High School before transferring to Neshaminy High School. He played varsity basketball at both schools.
PHOTO: (From left) Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rich Homa, Commissioner Bob Harvie, Commissioner Diane Marseglia, Dennis Best, Middletown Township Supervisor Bernadette Hannah and Ed Preston pose for a group photo Saturday, March 18, 2023, near signage on the newly dedicated Cpl. David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge along Frosty Hollow Road, Middletown Township.
Ortals enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in June 1967, and was married shortly before reporting to Vietnam. He served as an unmanned aerial vehicle mechanic with Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11, Marine Air Group 11, 1st Marine Air Wing.
Ortals died May 22, 1970, in Da Nang, Vietnam.
PHOTO: Members of the Marine Corps League on Saturday, March 18, 2023, head to the dedication ceremony for the newly renamed Cpl. David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge along Frosty Hollow Road in Middletown Township.
Dedication of the bridge named for Ortals coincided with the 100th birthday of his mother Winifred, who lives in Arizona.
The bridge is the second county-owned bridge to be dedicated to a soldier killed in the Vietnam War. The dedication program is part of an ongoing partnership with local veterans’ advocate Ed Preston.
PHOTO: Ed Preston, of Penndel, addresses a crowd including veterans, veterans advocates, government officials and neighbors on March 18, 2023, during the dedication ceremony for the Cpl. David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge in Middletown Township. Preston has been a driving force behind the county's project to rename its bridges in honor of fallen soldiers.
PHOTO: Veteran Dennis Best speaks to a crowd Saturday, March 18, 2023, during a dedication ceremony for a bridge in Middletown Township renamed for his late friend, Cpl. David John Ortals.
PHOTO: Bucks County Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie addresses a crowd Saturday, March 18, 2023, during the dedication ceremony of a bridge in Middletown Township that has been renamed for fallen Levittown Marine Cpl. David John Ortals.
PHOTO: Bucks County Commissioner Vice Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia speaks to a crowd assembled Saturday, March 18, 2023, for the rededication of Bucks County Bridge No. 15 in honor of fallen Marine Cpl. David John Ortals.
PHOTO: Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo on Saturday, March 18, 2023, speaks to a crowd at the dedication ceremony for the Cpl. David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge in Middletown Township.
PHOTO: Middletown Township Supervisor Bernadette Hannah addresses a crowd Saturday, March 18, 2023, during the dedication ceremony for the Cpl. David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge along Frosty Hollow Road.
PHOTO: New signage unveiled Saturday, March 18, 2023, on the Bucks County-owned bridge along Frosty Hollow Road in Middletown Township honors the memory of fallen Levittown Marine Cpl. David John Ortals.
PHOTO: Veteran Rich Homa looks to the sky Saturday, March 18, 2023, while addressing a crowd and discussing his late friend, fallen Marine Cpl. David John Ortals, who died in 1970 in Vietnam.
PHOTO: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick addresses a crowd Saturday, March 18, 2023, after the unveiling of new signage honoring fallen Marine Cpl. David John Ortals posted at the county-owned bridge along Frosty Hollow Road in Middletown Township.
PHOTO: Members of the Middletown Township Police Department Honor Guard on Saturday, March 18, 2023, stand along Frosty Hollow Road in the township during the dedication of the Cpl. David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge.
PHOTO: Members of the Marine Corps League hold flags ahead of the dedication ceremony for the Cpl. David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge along Frosty Hollow Road, Middletown Township, on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
PHOTO: New signage unveiled Saturday, March 18, 2023, on the Bucks County-owned bridge along Frosty Hollow Road in Middletown Township honors the memory of fallen Levittown Marine Cpl. David John Ortals.
Media Contact: James O’Malley, 215-348-6414, jtomalley@buckscounty.org