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Imlertown Road Bridge to be named after Bedford serviceman

BEDFORD — The Imlertown Road Bridge over Imlertown Run in Bedford Township will be dedicated in honor of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Eric Fisher Wood Jr. at 2:30 p.m. April 26, at the Pleasant Hill Bible Church, 2793 Briar Valley Road, said Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford.

Wood, who grew up in Bedford, served in the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Artillery Reserve until he was called to active duty to serve in Europe.

On Dec. 17, 1944, during the Battle of Bulge, Wood was separated from his unit, listed as missing in action and presumed dead.

However, Wood was not dead. He joined up with other American troops in Belgium and continued to fight the Nazis. According to one account, Wood and the group killed more than 200 Nazi soldiers until he was killed in late January 1945.

His body was discovered in the woods surrounded by seven dead Germans. It is believed Wood, who was alone, killed the seven Nazis before succumbing to his fatal wounds. For his valor, Wood was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Belgian Croix de Guerre and the Purple Heart Medal.

“It is more than fitting that we honor this brave man by designating the bridge as the 1st Lt. Eric Fisher Wood Jr. Memorial Bridge,” Topper said.

To RSVP, call Topper’s office at 623-9097 or email thess@pahousegop.com, by Friday, April 19.

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