American flags honoring a two-time Purple Heart recipient were torn down from the Lance Corporal William Joseph Donovan Jr. Bridge in Yarmouth Monday, according to officials.

The bridge on West Yarmouth Road is named after a Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School graduate who served as a marine in Afghanistan and has been recognized with a purple heart twice.

Donovan died in a motorcycle accident in 2015 while participating in an event for the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Riders.

The flags were placed on the bridge Friday by Donovan’s father. They replaced eight flags that were previously damaged in July.

State officials say this vandalism is unacceptable.

“It’s hurtful, it’s not just the piece of cloth,” said Massachusetts State Rep. Steven Xiarhos. “Some coward destroyed the American f

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