An act to designate the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lexington, Kentucky, as the "Lexington VA Health Care System" and to make certain other designations
PL 115-132 (H.R.4533), enacted 03/09/2018

132 STAT. 336 
PUBLIC LAW 115–132—MAR. 9, 2018 
Public Law 115–132 
115th Congress 
An Act 
To designate the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
Lexington, Kentucky, as the ‘‘Lexington VA Health Care System’’ and to make 
certain other designations. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1)(A) Private First Class Franklin Runyon Sousley was 
born on September 19, 1925, in Hilltop, Kentucky. Sousley 
served as a marine in the United States Marine Corps during 
the period beginning on January 5, 1944, and ending March 
21, 1945. Sousley graduated from Fleming County High School 
in May 1943 and chose to enlist in the United States Marine 
Corps. Upon completion of military basic training, he was 
assigned to Company E, 2d Battalion, 28th Marines, of the 
5th Marines Division at Camp Pendleton, California, as an 
automatic rifleman. 
(B) Private Sousley was promoted to a private first class 
on November 22, 1944. Pfc. Sousley landed on Iwo Jima on 
Friday, February 19, 1945, and actively fought in the battle 
for the islands. During the intense fighting, members of the 
United States Armed Forces secured Mount Suribachi and 
hoisted a United States flag on top of the summit on February 
23, 1945. On February 23, 1945, Pfc. Sousley, alongside Cor-
poral Harlon Block, HM John Bradley, Pfc. Rene Gagnon, Pfc. 
Ira Hayes, and Sergeant Michael Strank followed orders to 
raise a larger United States flag so it could be seen over 
the island. The iconic photograph taken of the six men, while 
they raised the United States flag attached to a heavy Japanese 
pipe has led to an immortalized symbol of American bravery, 
perseverance, and sacrifice endured by members of the United 
States Armed Forces during the intense battles of World War 
II. Pfc. Sousley was killed in combat by a Japanese sniper 
around Kitano Point on March 21, 1945. 
(C) Originally buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery 
at Iwo Jima in plot 9, row 8, grave 2189, on March 22, 1945, 
his remains were returned to the United States on May 8, 
1947, where he was finally laid to rest at Elizaville Cemetery 
in Fleming County, Kentucky. Pfc. Sousley was posthumously 
awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the 
Presidential Unit Citation with 5⁄16″ Silver Star, the American 
Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3⁄16″ 
Bronze Star, and the World War II Victory Medal. 
Franklin Runyon 
Sousley. 
Mar. 9, 2018 
[H.R. 4533] 
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132 STAT. 337 
PUBLIC LAW 115–132—MAR. 9, 2018 
(2)(A) Mr. Troy Bowling was born on July 2, 1926, in 
Hamilton, Ohio and completed his life’s service on June, 17, 
2017, at the age of 90 years old. At age 17, Mr. Bowling 
began his service as a United States Marine and was a proud 
member of the Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, 
5th Division. During the United States campaign to end the 
war against Japan, Mr. Bowling’s unit was among the first 
to arrive on the beachheads of Iwo Jima. 
(B) While attempting to secure Mt. Suribachi, his unit 
came under intense and concentrated fire, completely over-
whelming his unit. Two projectiles struck Mr. Bowling in the 
chest and leg, leaving him critically wounded on the battlefield. 
At that moment, Mr. Bowling said he looked to the heavens 
and committed to serving mankind for the rest of his life 
if he survived. 
(C) Miraculously, a combat photographer and medical team 
then carried Mr. Bowling to the safety of a landing craft where 
he witnessed the planting of the American flag atop Mt. 
Suribachi—an iconic image that persists as one of the most 
legendary and triumphant moments of the war. The United 
States Marines eventually took control of the island; however, 
this victory came at a heavy cost as more than 6,800 United 
States service members gave their lives during the battle of 
Iwo Jima. 
(D) In keeping faith with his commitment to God made 
during that battle, Mr. Bowling devoted more than 78,000 
hours of volunteer service to others at the Lexington VA Med-
ical Center. For more than 66 years, Mr. Bowling has risen 
through the ranks within the Disabled American Veterans 
(DAV) organization, holding nearly every position possible, 
including State Commander. Mr. Bowling received the George 
H. Seal Award for outstanding volunteer, which he received 
at the 2005 National DAV Convention in Las Vegas and the 
Lifetime Service Achievement Award from the Department of 
Veteran Affairs. Mr. Bowling was also nominated and selected 
to be inducted in the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame for 
his lifetime of service to veterans. 
SEC. 2. LEXINGTON VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The health care system of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs in Lexington, Kentucky, shall after the date 
of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the 
‘‘Lexington VA Health Care System’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the health 
care system referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
a reference to the ‘‘Lexington VA Health Care System’’. 
SEC. 3. TROY BOWLING CAMPUS. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The health care facility of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs located at 1101 Veterans Drive in Lexington, 
Kentucky, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be 
known and designated as the ‘‘Troy Bowling Campus’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the health 
care facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
a reference to the ‘‘Troy Bowling Campus’’. 
Troy Bowling. 
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132 STAT. 338 
PUBLIC LAW 115–132—MAR. 9, 2018 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4533: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018): 
Feb. 13, considered and passed House. 
Feb. 15, considered and passed Senate. 
SEC. 4. FRANKLIN R. SOUSLEY CAMPUS. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The health care facility of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs located at 2250 Leestown Road in Lexington, 
Kentucky, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be 
known and designated as the ‘‘Franklin R. Sousley Campus’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the health 
care facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
a reference to the ‘‘Franklin R. Sousley Campus’’. 
Approved March 9, 2018. 
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