Town of Smyrna officials were joined Thursday by Delaware National Guard Maj. Gen. Francis Vavala, and representatives of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs and the Delaware Department of Transportation to dedicate and name two bridges in honor of two Smyrna war heroes, Sgt. John B. Maberry and Maj. Allen McLane.

The bridge over Mill Creek was officially named for Sgt. Maberry. Sgt. Maberry was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1864, which is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the armed forces. He earned the award while serving as a private in the 1st Delaware Regiment during the Civil War. On July 3, 1863, the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg, major enemy forces were repelled at the Cemetery Ridge. While Maberry and others bravely pursued the fleeing enemy, Maberry was able to capture the battle flag of the 7th North Carolina.

The bridge that spans over the Lake Como Spillway will now be known as the Maj. Allen McLane Bridge. McLane is said to be one of Delaware's most significant heroes of the American Revolution. He distinguished himself at the Battles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton and Princeton. Maj. McLane also served in diplomatic services. He served Gen. George Washington and assisted in defeating the British Army at the Battle of Yorktown, a pivotal victory in the American Revolutionary War.