Effort to rename Libby bridge after fallen soldier headed to Legislature

When the state Legislature convenes next Monday in Helena, Sen. Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka, will introduce a bill to rename the Montana 37 bridge over the Kootenai River as it exits Libby in memory of former resident Arthur J. Rambo.

Rambo, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, was killed in action at the age of 23 on Thanksgiving Day 1969 in the Vietnam War. Rambo was born Dec. 16, 1944, in Seattle. The family lived in Japan for about two years while his father served with the U.S. Army of Occupation. Rambo’s family moved to Libby in 1948. 

He graduated in the top 10 of his class from Libby High School in 1963, later earning a degree in mathematics from Carroll College plus a chemical engineering degree from Notre Dame.

He married Helen Ryan in 1967 and they had two children - the youngest was born after he arrived in Vietnam. 

The bill originated following a conversation last year between Libby High School alumnus Mark Fennessy (1965) and Libby VFW Harper Erdman Post 1548 Assistant Commander Keith Kidwell.  

Fennessy shared a memory displaying Rambo’s character in high school followed by the suggestion that the bridge be dedicated in Rambo’s memory. After gathering letters and nearly 1,000 signatures in support for the suggested bridge naming, Kidwell submitted the proposal to Cuffe, who represents Senate District 2.

Following the introduction of Senate Bill 59, titled “Staff Sgt. Arthur J. Rambo Memorial Bridge” it will then go before committee at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

For more information on, and to follow this bill, go to: bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0193?open_tab=sum. 

While the bill was initially assigned to the Transportation Committee, it is currently in the Educational and Natural Resources Committee. The bill can be read at https://bills.legmt.gov/.

Following the first day of Legislative business and the introduction of SB 59, there will be a reception at Carroll College, organized by family friend and Libby Class of 1966 graduate, Gov. Marc Racicot. The public, friends and family of Rambo are invited to Helena to participate in the day’s activities.  

The reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Loendorf Reception Room at the Carroll College Physical Education Center.

Those interested can follow the legislative process as the bill travels through the statehouse by visiting the Legislature's website at https://www.legmt.gov/.

Following his graduation in 1963, Rambo began his college life in Helena at Carroll College studying mathematics. Part of his Carroll experience included participating in several musical productions as well as sharing his voice in Carroll’s nationally noted Singing Ambassadors - the Carrolleers. There, he met his future wife.

Continuing his studies, Rambo transferred to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana to complete his degree in chemical engineering. He graduated cum laude in June 1968 and was offered an officer’s rank in the U.S. Army.  

Texaco Oil Company also offered him a position with a guaranteed draft deferment. Since he was expecting the birth of his first child, Kerry Lynn, later in June and because he felt he could serve his country, and his family, equally well as a chemical engineer with Texaco, Rambo opted to sign with Texaco, a decision he didn't take lightly.

A testament to Rambo’s character, he declined the offer of a penthouse office position in Denver. He felt that if he was going to be making future executive decisions that could affect lives, Rambo wanted to learn the oil business from the bottom up. He began his career toiling in the oil fields of Golden, Colorado as a roustabout.

In spite of the guarantee of two deferments (occupational and paternal), Rambo received a notice from the Libby draft board. After investigating the mixup, mixed with the political unrest at that time, and against Texaco’s commitment to maintain his deferment, Rambo made a fateful decision to not fight the draft notice.  

“If I don’t go, someone would have to go in my place,” Rambo told his wife Helen.

Instead of entering the Army as an officer, Rambo reported to Fort Lewis as a private draftee. He worked his way from that position to staff sergeant before he shipped out to Vietnam in 1969. Shortly after his deployment, his second daughter Amy Denise was born stateside. 

Rambo was serving as commander of a howitzer in the highly decorated 11th Armored Calvary Regiment when he was killed in action. For the bravery he displayed in that firefight, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.