LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – A highway through the Copper Country has a new name honoring a World War II veteran from Houghton County.
Rep. Greg Markkanen’s bill renames a portion of M-26 the Private Wesley Vietti Karna Memorial Highway after a Painesdale native who was killed in action in 1944. Governor Whitmer signed the bill into law Tuesday.
“Wesley Vietti Karna made the highest sacrifice possible for the State of Michigan and his country,” said Markkanen, R-Hancock, in a press release. “The least we can do is honor his sacrifice however possible. Naming this small section of highway after him will ensure knowledge of his legacy and service will live on for generations.”
Karna, who was born in 1922 to Finnish immigrants, served in the Fifth Army, 91st Infantry, 362nd Regiment, F Company. He died fighting in northern Italy against German and Italian forces. Karna earned a Purple Heart, WWII Victory medal, and a European Theatre medal for his service.
Markkanen’s plan passed the House Transportation Committee earlier this spring. Brad Uren, Karna’s great-nephew, testified with Markkanen during the committee meeting where they outlined how an Italian historian with a metal detector recently unearthed Private Karna’s canteen. It had been buried 80 years ago. Private Karna had scratched his name into it. That discovery led Uren and his family to find further details about Private Karna’s service and the circumstances surrounding his ultimate sacrifice.
