Rigby to Honor Local World War II Veteran

April 29, 2025

WHAT: State Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Cambria/Somerset) will be hosting a bridge renaming ceremony to honor Pvt. Philip A. Watt, who was born in Ashville. The ceremony will recognize his service by designating the Route 53 bridge, which crosses Clearfield Creek in Gallitzin Township, as the “Private Philip A. Watt Memorial Bridge.”

On May 30, 1944, Pvt. Watt was killed while serving his country in the Battle of Anzio during World War II. He is buried in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.

WHO: Rigby and members of the Watt family.

WHEN: Friday, May 2, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Ashville VFW Post 4315, 158 W. Main St., Ashville.

LIVE WEBSTREAMING: Barring technical difficulties, the ceremony will be streamed through Rigby’s website, RepJimRigby.com, and his Facebook page, Facebook.com/RepJimRigby.

Media contact: Scott Little, 717.260.6137, slittle@pahousegop.com