Bucks Soldier Killed In Vietnam Remembered With Bridge Dedication

NEW BRITAIN TOWNSHIP, PA — Bucks County Bridge No. 146 now bears the name of U.S. Army SP4 Ronald Anthony Longfellow, a Chalfont resident who died during the Vietnam War.

On Tuesday, county, state and local officials, along with leaders of the Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, joined family members in dedicating the bridge on Creek Road to Longfellow.

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The 20-year-old Central Bucks High School graduate was drafted into the Army in 1971. According to his mother, Ruth, he accepted his draft notice "philosophically," with the goal of completing his service and getting on with his life.

"This is a tragedy of war, and fortunately Ronnie is remembered for so much more than that," Bucks County Commissioner Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia said as she placed a bottle of Mountain Dew – Longfellow's favorite beverage, and a fixture in his siblings' stories about him – atop the podium to the laughter and smiles of his surviving family members. "In fact," she added with her own smile, "he was caring and joyous, and he was fun."

While acting as point man on patrol on Dec. 28, 1971, Longfellow stepped on a land mine and suffered critical injuries. He succumbed to his injuries Jan. 19, 1972, after 135 days in country, becoming the last soldier from Bucks County to die in Vietnam.

(Bucks County)

Surviving siblings of SP4 Ronald Anthony Longfellow look on after the unveiling of the sign bearing their late brother's name on County-owned Bridge #146. Longfellow died in 1972 from injuries sustained weeks earlier while on patrol during the Vietnam War. (Bucks County)

U.S. Army SP4 Ronald Anthony Longfellow

Longfellow was one of nine siblings, including two brothers in the U.S. Navy who also served in the war. His three living siblings, brother Jerry, and sisters Janice and Carol were present at Tuesday's dedication along with several members of Longfellow's extended family.

He is buried at Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Ambler.

The bridge dedicated in Longfellow's honor crosses the North Branch of the Neshaminy Creek on Creek Road in New Britain Township. It is the 25th county-owned bridge since 2022 to be named for a local soldier lost in the Vietnam War.

In addition to Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia, New Britain Township Supervisor Chair Cynthia Jones, State Senator Steve Santarsiero, and Commissioner Bob Harvie also spoke at the dedication.

The dedications are part of the county's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge Program, which honors Bucks County residents lost in the war. The county administers the program in partnership with Bucks County-based veterans' advocate Ed Preston, who chairs the Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (PAVVMF).

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia greets family members. (Bucks County)

(Bucks County)