Legislation Would Honor Local Military Hero in Columbiana County

State Representative Tim Ginter (R-Salem) today announced the passage of Substitute Senate Bill 182 by the Ohio House of Representatives, an omnibus bill that designates multiple memorial highways across the state.

The legislation includes House Bill 364, a road-naming bill sponsored by Rep. Ginter, which names a portion of highway in Columbiana County after Corporal William F. Bratt. Corporal Bratt served in the United States Army during World War II and was one of the soldiers to be captured as a prisoner of war after the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula. He went on to survive the 65-mile trip known as the Bataan Death March and was one of five soldiers from the 1,765 troops in his original unit to make it back to the United States after the war.

Under the bill, the portion of State Route 7, from the eastern boundary of Wellsville to the western boundary of East Liverpool, is designated as the “Corporal William F. Bratt Memorial Highway.”

“I am thrilled to see House Bill 364 incorporated into Substitute Senate Bill 182, which ensures a more timely enactment of the movement to name a portion of highway in Columbiana County ‘Corporal William F. Bratt Memorial Highway.’ The corporal’s life and service to our country should be a lesson to all, and he is highly deserving of this honor,” said Rep. Ginter.

Substitute Senate Bill 182 will now return to the Ohio Senate for concurrence on the changes made by the House.