Press Release
Highway Dedicated to WWII Hero in Gainesville, NY
GAINESVILLE, NY – The bravery and ultimate sacrifice of Technical Sergeant Walter Shearing, a native of Wyoming County, were honored during a ceremony on Saturday with the dedication of the “T Sgt. Walter Shearing Memorial Highway” along State Route 19.
The event was attended by family members, local officials, veterans, and community members who came together to celebrate Shearing’s legacy. Senator George Borrello, who sponsored the legislation for the highway designation, and Assemblyman David DiPietro, who supported it in the Assembly, led the ceremony.
Shearing, born to farmer parents in Gainesville, opted to enlist in the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor, despite being eligible for a draft deferment. He quickly distinguished himself as a leader, becoming a drill instructor and later serving with Company M of the 324th Infantry Regiment in the 44th Division.
He fought valiantly in significant battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, before being killed in action on April 17, 1945, during an assault on a fortified German town. For his gallant actions, he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart.
Senator Borrello emphasized the importance of remembering veterans like Shearing, stating that the highway dedication serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom. Assemblyman DiPietro added that the memorial would honor Shearing’s courage and commitment, ensuring his legacy endures in the community.
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