Segment Of Interstate 5 In San Joaquin County Dedicated To Medal Of Honor Recipient Master Sergeant Richard A. Pittman

State of California • Department of Transportation

NEWS RELEASE

Stockton

Highway Lane Closures
State Routes 12, 26 & 49

Stockton- The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) participated in a highway memorial ceremony on December 13, 2024, dedicating a segment of Interstate 5 - between Roth Road and French Camp Road in French Camp - for Marine Corps Master Sergeant Richard A. Pittman. The event was held at the American Legion Karl Ross Post 16 in Stockton.

Pittman, a Stockton native, was a Vietnam War Veteran who served more than two decades in the Marines and is the only Medal of Honor recipient hailing from San Joaquin County, having received that honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968, for his heroic actions during combat.

Caltrans District 10 Director Grace Magsayo addressed attendees, along with representatives from the Stockton Marine Corps Club, American Legion Karl Ross Post 16, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Pittman family, and former State Assembly member Carlos Villapudua, who brought ACR 85 to the California Assembly, making this memorial possible.

"While this highway dedication will forever memorialize Master Sergeant Pittman for his significant service, may it also serve as a reminder of all those in the military and law enforcement who risk their lives each day to protect us, including those serving with our local Police Departments, San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol," Magsayo said.

Caltrans District 10 Maintenance Workers will install the memorial signs today, reading: "Master Sergeant Richard Pittman Memorial Highway."

Before he died in 2016, Pittman was a dedicated advocate of veteran services and fought to have a new Veterans Affairs Clinic built in San Joaquin County. In May 2024, The Richard A. Pittman V.A. Clinic opened on Manthey Road near Interstate 5 in French Camp.

The California State Assembly in February 2024 voted to dedicate a section of Interstate 5 in front of the hospital as the "Master Sergeant Richard Pittman Memorial Highway."

Motorists should expect 5-to-10-minute delays and use alternate routes whenever possible. This work is scheduled to occur as listed but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment/materials, and construction-related issues.

For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Be Work Zone Alert. For the latest highway conditions, visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov