Gainesville, N.Y. – Memorial Highway Dedicated to WWII Hero
The legacy of Technical Sergeant Walter Shearing, a Wyoming County native who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II, was honored on Saturday with the dedication of the "T Sgt. Walter Shearing Memorial Highway." The event took place along State Route 19 in Gainesville, highlighted by the unveiling of a new highway sign.
State Senator George Borrello, who sponsored the legislation for the highway designation, and Assemblyman David DiPietro, who presented the bill in the Assembly, led the ceremony. Senator Borrello remarked, “This dedication stands as a lasting tribute to a true American hero. Sergeant Shearing’s courage and sacrifice embody the highest ideals of service.”
Shearing, born to farming parents in Gainesville, enlisted in the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Choosing to serve as a drill instructor, he quickly rose to Technical Sergeant in Company M of the 324th Infantry Regiment, 44th Division. A veteran of several significant campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge, he was killed in action on April 17, 1945, while directing his machine gun crew’s fire during an assault on a fortified German town.
Posthumously awarded a Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Purple Heart, Shearing’s bravery has inspired many. Assemblyman DiPietro stated, “This highway will stand as a permanent reminder of his courage and commitment.” Family, local officials, and community members attended the ceremony, honoring a hero whose sacrifice will not be forgotten.
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