Motorists on U.S. Highway 31 South will have a reminder of heroism when driving approximately 10 miles, A portion of the road was dedicated and deservedly so in honor of the late Master Sergeant John Dorval Minatra on July 18, Giles County Commissioners voted to name the section of Highway 31 to the Highway 64 Bypass in honor of Minatra, who was recognized for actions near Dak To in South Vietnam from Nov. 17-19, 1967.
Seventh District Congressman Mark Green, R-Clarksville, who like Minatra served in the U.S. Army Rangers, recalled Minatra’s actions. Minatra was an advisor to a Vietnamese Airborne Infantry Battalion, whose commanding officer was wounded during the battle. Minatra replaced the officer until another arrived.
“That legacy of service is what we celebrate today,” Green said, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn read a proclamation of Minatra’s exploits into the Congressional Record in 2017. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame, received the Ranger Hall of Fame Medallion and was inducted into the National Legion of Valor, The occasion also was a chance to recognize veterans of the Vietnam Conflict, Green said, “Very seldom do we get to honor somebody like this who is a true American hero,” 28th District State Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, said,
State Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, 70th District, helped organize the event,
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