Bridge Dedication in Yardley to Honor Local Vietnam War Casualty This Week

Bucks County Bridge 313 will be named in memory of William Warren Breece, a United States Army Warrant Officer killed during the Vietnam War, on Aug. 23 at 11 AM.

The Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Fund and the County of Bucks will conduct the dedication ceremonies at the bridge, which spans the Delaware Canal at Letchworth Avenue in Yardley. The bridge is the sixth to honor local servicemen who were among the 136 killed in action or missing in the Vietnam War.

Breece was a 1966 graduate of Pennsbury High School who had been involved in the scouting program.  He studied at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. 

A helicopter pilot, Breece was flying over Rach Gia in support of ground forces on Dec. 5, 1968, when he was severely wounded in the arm and shoulder by automatic weapons fire. He returned fire but the enemy was still shooting at the ground troops. Despite bleeding profusely and fully realizing the danger involved, Breece initiated another attack. He was struck by an enemy round which mortally wounded him. 

Breece’s quick thinking, aggressive action, and extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force saved many friendly lives. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions. He is buried in the Newtown Cemetery.

Learn more about the bridge dedication at the Bucks County Government.

_____