Private First-Class Ronald C. Dexter died in action, at the age of 19, on September 19, 1966, while serving in the United States Marine Corps in Quang Tri Province in Vietnam. To honor his ultimate sacrifice, the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will dedicate and rename a state bridge in his honor. The bridge spans the North Fork Yellow Bank River south of Milbank on Highway 15, and it will henceforth be known as the PFC Ronald C. Dexter Bridge. The ceremony will be conducted on Saturday, August 2, at 11 a.m. at the Grant County 4-H Grounds in Milbank. Everyone is welcome to attend.
PFC Dexter was born in Graceville, Minnesota, on May 21, 1947. He moved with his father Clifford, a Marine veteran of World War II, and his mother Lillian to Milbank in 1948. Ronald and his siblings Bruce, Doug, and Lisa were all raised in Milbank.
This bridge near Milbank is part of the Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication Program, which was launched during the Noem-Rhoden Administration and expanded under Governor Rhoden. In partnership with the South Dakota Departments of Military, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, this program creates visible and enduring tributes that connect communities to their history and remind future generations of the cost of freedom.
“It is an honor to recognize the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jeremiah Schneider. “The Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication program ensures their sacrifice is remembered every day. These dedications serve as lasting symbols of gratitude and respect, connecting our communities to the legacy of those who served. “
“As we honor their memory, we also reaffirm our commitment to support veterans and their families in every way possible,” continued Schneider. “Through these bridges, their stories remain a vital part of South Dakota’s heritage and a constant reminder of the freedoms we cherish.”
Read more about PFC Ronald Dexter in the story told by his parents.
Staff
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