Government Transportation

New Hope Bridge Rededicated To Honor Fallen Vietnam War Marine

A bridge in New Hope now carries the name of a fallen Marine.

Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

Bucks County Bridge 36 on Stockton Avenue in New Hope Borough has been rededicated in honor of Staff Sgt. Karol Raymond Bauer, a local Vietnam War serviceman who was killed.

Bauer, born in New York City and a Philadelphia-raised U.S. Marine, died in combat on April 30, 1967, in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, at age 28.

The bridge renaming ceremony recognizes Bauer’s 11-year service in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a voluntary final tour of duty.

A photo of Staff Sgt. Karol Raymond Bauer.
Credit: Submitted

Bauer, who resided in Wrightstown Township, was survived by his wife and 18-month-old daughter.

Bucks County Commissioners Chairperson Bob Harvie expressed pride in the dedication and emphasized Bauer’s commitment to his country.

Commissioner Bob Harvie speaking.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

“Staff Sgt. Bauer spent more than a third of his short life in loyal service to his country, and we are proud that this dedication will ensure his memory lives on,” said Harvie. “And while we continue to mourn those taken before their time, we stand proud of the brave sacrifices made by Staff Sgt. Bauer and his fellow servicemen and women.”

Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

The bridge, owned by the county and spanning Aquetong Creek, is part of a broader initiative to commemorate Bucks County’s 136 Vietnam War casualties.

Ed Preston speaking.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

Veterans’ advocate Ed Preston and the Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund have partnered in this initiative, with this dedication marking the sixth such bridge renaming.

Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia speaking.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia highlighted the renamings as a source of comfort and closure for families and the community.

Mayor Larry Keller addressing the crowd.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

New Hope Borough Mayor Larry Keller acknowledged the county’s efforts to recently upgrade the bridge and the honor Bauer, who rests in Thompson Memorial Cemetery in Solebury Township.

Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

Bauer’s elder brother, Walter, now 91, remembered the Marine as vibrant and adventurous, enjoying activities like motorcycling and horse riding.

“He was fun-loving. He loved to do everything,” he said of his brother.

Walter Bauer traveled to Tuesday’s ceremony from Delaware County.

The bridge renaming initiative honors the memory of 136 residents from Bucks County who were either killed or went missing in action during the Vietnam War.

Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

Bucks County Veterans Affair Director Matt Allen.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com

About the author

Tom Sofield

Tom Sofield has covered news in Bucks County for 12 years for both newspaper and online publications. Tom’s reporting has appeared locally, nationally, and internationally across several mediums. He is proud to report on news in the county where he lives and to have created a reliable publication that the community deserves.

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