South Dakota bridge to be dedicated in honor of fallen soldier

South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs

PIERRE — The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony to honor U.S. Army Cpl. John C. McDowell.

The ceremony will be July 24 at 11 a.m. at the Travel Plaza in Corsica, U.S. Highway 281 and Main Street.

State Highway 44 bridge over Andes Creek, just west of US 281, will be dedicated as the Cpl. John C. McDowell Bridge.

McDowell began his tour of service on Sept. 30, 1967, during the Vietnam War. A traumatic event ultimately resulted in the loss of his life on Jan. 9, 1968, in Long Kkanh province, South Vietnam.

Naming bridges in honor of combat veterans who died while serving their country is an initiative of Gov. Kristi Noem and the…