Donald Sidney Skidgel

In 2011, the bridge on Route 2 spanning the Sebasticook River in Newport, Maine was replaced and the bridge was dedicated to Skidgel's memory bearing the name "The Donald Sidney Skidgel Memorial Bridge". The renaming of the bridge to honor the Medal of Honor recipient was signed into law on May 26, 2011, by Maine Governor Paul LePage and the bridge dedication ceremony took place October 15, 2011. Among the speakers present at the dedication were Senator Susan Collins, U.S. Representative Mike Michaud, General John Libby, State Representative Kenneth Fredette and Gail Kelly representing Senator Olympia Snowe's office.

Skidgel joined the Army from Bangor, Maine in 1968, and by September 14, 1969, was serving as a Sergeant in Troop D, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On that day, near Sông Bé in the South Vietnam, during Operation Toan Thang III Skidgel's unit was guarding a convoy when it came under enemy attack. In an attempt to draw the enemy fire away from the convoy's command group, Skidgel manned a machine gun in his vehicle while his driver steered through intense fire toward the command element. Skidgel, mortally wounded during the effort, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Donald Sidney Skidgel (October 13, 1948 – September 14, 1969) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.