Honoring Pvt. Tolley: County unveils signs naming bridge in honor of resident who died in WWII
Published 5:36 pm Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Family and community members gathered despite the rain on Wednesday afternoon to pay tribute to a Carter County man who gave his life in service to his country during World War II.
Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey hosted a special dedication ceremony on Wednesday to unveil the signs for the recently completed new Rittertown Road bridge which was named in honor of the late Pvt. Phillip Tolley.
Tolley was a life-long resident of Carter County and lived in the Browns Branch community near the bridge. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in April of 1943 and in March of 1944 he was killed in action at the age of 22 during the battle of Cape Gloucester fought in the Pacific theater between Allied forces and Japan. His body remained in New Guinea for more than four years before his remains were returned to his family and interred in the Mack Tolley family cemetery in June 1948.
In January, the Carter County Commission voted to name the bridge in memory of Tolley as a lasting testament to his service and sacrifice.
“It’s a special day in this community,” Humphrey said at the dedication ceremony. He then read aloud to those gathered the resolution passed by the County Commission honoring Tolley.
“Private Phillip Tolley gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, and he served with honor while defending our freedom and our way of life so that we could continue to live in peace here at home,” the resolution states.
Among Tolley’s relatives in attendance at the ceremony was one of his nephews, Dean Tolley, who recalled with fondness his uncle.
“He was just a great person,” said Dean Tolley. “He was raised here within a mile and a half of this bridge.”
Having the bridge bear Pvt. Phillip Tolley’s name “means a great deal” to the family, Dean Tolley said. “The family really appreciates it,” he added.