Richardson Honors SGT David S. Harris in Memorial Highway Dedication Ceremony

MARION – State Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) today hosted a ceremony at the Pleasant High School football field dedicating the northbound and southbound lanes of State Route 4 in Marion County as SGT David S. Harris Memorial Highway. SGT Harris was a Marion resident who killed in action during the Vietnam War.

“I am honored to be here today to recognize a true hometown hero in our community,” said Richardson. “This road designation serves as a meaningful tribute to the sacrifice of SGT Harris who was a friend of many and our hometown hero. The road naming will ensure his legacy continues to live on in Marion.”

The memorial highway is located between the intersection of Owens Road West and the intersection of Somerlot Hoffman Road West in Marion County.

On March 24, 1969, SGT Harris’s squad came under attack by the North Vietnamese Army in a minefield during a reconnaissance-in-force mission in Kien Phong Province in South Vietnam. SGT Harris courageously exposed himself to the intense hostile fire to provide life-saving aid. He was wounded in the process of delivering the aid and was moving to aid a second casualty when he succumbed to his wounds. He was 21 years old.

SGT Harris received the Silver Star, the Army’s third highest medal for valor, for his heroism in the minefield. In 2017, he was posthumously inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor.

SGT Harris graduated from Pleasant High School in 1966. His Military Hall of Fame Award and retired football jersey are on permanent display in Pleasant High School to honor him as a hometown war hero and sports hero.

“The memorial highway will also serve as a reminder to all of us to recognize the bravery of all men and women who protect our freedom,” added Richardson.

The road dedication was included as an amendment to House Bill 276, which was signed into law in March 2020. Richardson originally introduced the legislation as House Bill 259.