In the center of the bridge.

A brass inscribed plaque.

The plaque remembers Corporal Thomas J.J. Downing of the 60th Engineer Battalion who was killed in action while taking the bridge in Spetmber 1944.  He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions.

Silver Star Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Thomas J. J. Downing (ASN: 32806806), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 60th Engineer Combat Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the Moselle River Sector, near Flavigny, France, 10 September 1944. When his unit was forced to withdraw across a bridge from which it was then removing enemy demolition charges, Corporal Downing discovered that part of his squad, of which he was assistant squad leader, remained on the hostile shore. With complete disregard for personal safety, and despite the intense concentrations of enemy fire upon the bridge, Corporal Downing crossed the bridge to the enemy shore and led his squad back to safety, although while he was engaged, he was mortally wounded. Corporal Downings courageous action constitutes such gallantry in action as to reflect credit upon his character as a soldier, and is in accord with the military traditions of the United States.

35th Infantry Division        3rd Army

IN MEMORY OF CORPORAL THOMAS J DOWNING, AND HIS COMRADES OF THE 60th COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION WHO FELL HERE GIVING THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM
SEPTEMBER 10-11