Three LeRoy brothers who gave their lives in World War II will be honored on November 11th with the dedication of the Gaultney Brothers Memorial Highway, according to State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet).
“These three brothers and their families back home paid the ultimate price to secure our freedom during World War II,” said Rose. “I hope that this memorial will keep the memory of their service and sacrifice alive to inspire future generations and to remind us all of the costs of our freedoms.”
Senate Joint Resolution 65, filed by Senator Rose and sponsored by retired Representative Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth) in the Illinois House, passed unanimously in the 100th General Assembly.
The resolution officially designates Interstate 74 through LeRoy as the “Gaultney Brothers Memorial Highway” in honor of three brothers from the town who all died in the line of service in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
Ralph Gaultney served in the U.S. Navy as a Gunners Mate, Third Class, assigned to the U.S.S. Arizona, and was mortally wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Leonard Gaultney also served in the U.S. Navy, as a Machinist’s Mate, First Class, assigned to the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Vincennes, and was killed in action when the ship was sunk during the Battle of the Solomon Islands. David Gaultney served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Private, First Class, assigned to Company A, First Battalion, Third Division, Ninth Regiment, and died in the line of duty during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
The dedication will take place on November 11th, at 2pm, at the LeRoy American Legion, 100 North Main, LeRoy, Illinois.