Veteran Honorees

Private First Class Roland E. Palmer United States Marine Corps Died of Wounds – 21 February 1945 – Iwo Jima Roland Palmer was born in Marysville on August 31, 1925, as the third son to Harry Palmer. He was the second son to Harry’s second wife, and Esther (Scheiderer) Palmer. His older brothers were Harold his half-brother, and Arthur. By the time World War Two began, Roland had four younger brothers too: John, known as Hans; Robert and Ralph, twins; and William. Roland and his brothers grew up on the east side of Marysville, living on South Oak, East 6th, and East 4th Streets. At Marysville High School, Roland played football, and in his senior year was starting defensive halfback, while brother John started at right offensive guard. He graduated in 1943. Before enlisting in the Marine Corps, he served in Company G of the Ohio State Guard, which took over the role of the Ohio National Guard division when it was activated. Roland enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in November, 1943, and was sent to Parris Island, S.C. for training. After graduating boot camp, he was assigned to the 4th Pioneer Battalion of the 4th Marine Division. At the time, the 4th Division was in the Pacific Theater, having taken part in the battle for Kwajalein. He would have joined the division as it prepared on Maui, Territory of Hawaii, for its next mission. This was the invasion of Saipan, which was to provide the airfields for the B-29s to begin bombing Japan. After Saipan, back to Maui to prepare for next assignment – Iwo Jima. In January, 1945, moved to Oahu to finalize preparation for the invasion of “Island X”. On 27 January 1945, the division sailed aboard the transports heading to Iwo Jima. <footer id="

2019 Veteran Honoree: Oscar C. Decker Paver Pavers - Section C, D, G, J, N & Q Veteran First Name Oscar Veteran Middle Name C. Veteran Last Name Decker Picture Date of Birth 10/10/1924 Highest Rank Major General Branch of Army Yes Unit(s) 20th Tank Battalion, 20th Armored Div.; 317th Tank Battalion; 82nd Reconnaisance Battalion of 2nd Armored Division; U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command Active Service from Year 02/23/1943 to 03/11/1946 Active Service to Year 07/05/1951 to 07/01/1983 Guard Service from Year 10/11/1949 Guard Service to Year 07/05/1951 Reserve Service from Year 03/11/1946 Reserve Service to Year 10/11/1949 World War II Yes Korean War Yes Vietnam War Yes Overseas Service Input Box 1 Germany; Iran; Vietnam Distinguished Service Medal Yes Legion of Merit Yes Presidential Unit Citation Yes Other Decoration Names 1 Legion of Merit (3) Township of residence entering service OTHER Other Township of residence entering service Nebraska Township of current residence or at time of death Paris Church St. John's Lutheran, Marysville, OH Other School Battle Creek, Nebraska Source 1 Veteran form submitted 01/07/2005 by veteran, Oscar C. Decker, Jr.; No DD-214 recorded as of 10/12/2007 in Union County Recorder's Office; Source 2 65rh wedding announcement, MJT 11/2/2009 On September 20, 2019, Major General Oscar Decker, a great American patriot, quietly passed away at the age of 94. He was surrounded by his wife and children in his daughter's home in Haymarket, VA. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with military honors on January 23, 2020. Major General Oscar Decker served continuously in the United States Army for over 40 years; he served 35 years on Active Duty, with over 5 years spent in either the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. His distinguished career included both enlisted and commissioned officer service which spanned three wars, numerous conflicts, including almost 8 years of duty overseas. He served as a General Officer on Active Duty for almost 10 years. Oscar Decker was born on October 10, 1924 in Moorefield, Nebraska. He enlisted into the U.S. Army on February 23, 1943. He joined the Armor Branch and served in a Tank Battalion in Europe during WWII. On November 8, 1944, Corporal Decker married the lovely Ella Mae (Babe) Tillson. On March 11, 1946, he left Active Duty as a Sergeant, and immediately joined the Army Reserve, the Army National Guard, and Army ROTC while finishing his studies at the University of Nebraska. On July 5, 1951, Oscar Decker graduated from college and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. He immediately went back on Active Duty serving in Armor and Ordnance units, assignments throughout the United States, Germany, Iran, and Vietnam until his retirement on June 30, 1983. In Vietnam, he commanded a battalion and saw action during the 1968 TET Offensive. He was assigned to the Pentagon twice, once as a staff officer for the Chief of Staff of the Army, and later as the Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Logistics. The highlight of General Decker's career was as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Tank and Automotive Command leading over 6,000 personnel for the research, development, and production of the Abrams Main Battle Tank, the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the HUMVEE, and several other new generation trucks and vehicles greatly impacting upon the combat effectiveness of the Army. Among his many military decorations, he was awarded the Legion of Merit four times and was bestowed the Distinguished Service Medal. Upon retirement from the Army in 1983, Oscar Decker moved to Marysville, Ohio, where for the next 33+ years he gave his talents and leadership in the service of his church, his community, and his county. He committed himself to the welfare of all veterans and their families by being active in veteran organizations and assisting the Union County Veterans Service Commission. In 2003, he spearheaded the formation of the Union County Military Family Support Group providing support and recognition for the ever-increasing troops deploying from Union County and for their families left behind. He also astutely chaired the Union County Remembrance Committee overseeing the construction of the Union County Veterans Monument and Plaza dedicated on May 19, 2007. He truly was a "Voice for the Stone." He provided leadership for many significant civic and economic projects for Marysville and Union County assisting such organizations as the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Marysville School System. Oscar Decker's contributions to Union County were so numerous that the debt owed to him can never be repaid. However in 2008, he was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, and on September 11, 2012, a new Marysville Fire Station on County Home Road was named for him. Thus, the citizens of Union County, Ohio are now remembering and honoring this great soldier, veteran, and friend during this "Voice from the Stone" Veterans Day Ceremony on November 10, 2019. <footer id="

2018 Veteran Honoree: Ralph Ewing Veteran First Name Ralph Veteran Middle Name C. Veteran Last Name Ewing Picture Date of Birth 1900 Highest Rank Private First Class Branch of Army Yes Unit(s) Co. E, 4th Infantry Regiment; Co. E, 166th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Division Active Service from Year 06/19/1917 Active Service to Year 10/27/1918 World War I Yes KIA Yes KIA/DIS/POW When 10/27/1918 KIA/DIS/POW Where France Township of residence entering service Paris Township of current residence or at time of death UNKNOWN Cemetery Paris Twp: Oakdale Date of Death 10/27/1918 Source 1 Milford Center Monument; Union Co. Cem. Rec., Vol. 6, p. 45; Ohio Soldiers in WWI, 1917-1918 Source 2 No DD-214 recorded as of 10/19/2007 in Union co. Recorder's Office Notes 1 enlisted 6/19/1917, Marysville, OH; wounded 6/21/1918; killed in action; body returned to U.S. on U.S.S. Wheaton, October 1921; interred in Oakdale Cemetery, 10/30/1921; cemetery records list DOB as 1898 Notes 2 father, Charles Ewing, Marysville, OH, notified of death; KIA <footer id="

2017 Veteran Honorees: Calvin E Newell, Charles G Bowersmith, Ronald Hamilton Name Calvin Eugene Newell War(s) Vietnam War Service Branch(es) Marines (Navy) Date of Birth 5/05/1948 Date of Death 4/18/1967 Cause of Death Killed in Action Place of Death Quảng Nam Province, Vietnam Unit(s) 3rd Marine Div. 26th Marine Reg. 1st Bat. Co. C Calvin Eugene Newell, the first man from Union County to die in the Vietnam War, was one of the Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2017. Born on May 5th, 1948 to Lena Newell of Plain City, Calvin was known as 'ornery' by his childhood friends. One of Calvin's favorite childhood pastimes was baseball. He attended Jonathon Alder schools, although he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1966 rather than graduate high school. Assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Newell was part of the initial landings near Da Nang in 1966. Newell remained in the region, and in the spring of 1967, was involved in an operation to clear out the NVA and Viet Cong from the province. Regrettably, Calvin was shot and killed by a Vietnamese sniper on April 18th, 1967. Newell's body was returned to the United States. CPL Newell is interred at Darby Township Cemetery in Unionville Center. Name Charles George Bowersmith War(s) Vietnam War Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 4/09/1948 Date of Death 11/06/1967 Cause of Death Killed in Action Place of Death Kon Tum Province, Vietnam Unit(s) 173rd Airborne Brig. 503rd Inf. Reg. 4th Bat. Co. A Charles George Bowersmith was one of the Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2017. Charles was born on April 9th, 1948 to Charles and Evelyn Bowersmith of Bellefontaine, although Charles would grow up near Raymond and attend Raymond schools. Due to sharing the same name with his father, Charles went by George. He attended high school at Marysville High School, although he joined the Army prior to his graduation. While in the Army, George became a paratrooper and was assigned to Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. At first, George was stationed in Germany. However, he was sent to Vietnam in the May of 1967, arriving on May 29th, 1967. He would be wounded three times, as well as hospitalized for malaria and jungle rot, before he was killed on November 6th, 1967 by gunfire during the Battle of Đắk T&ocirc;. George was only nineteen years old at the time of his death. His body was returned to the States, and PFC Bowersmith is buried at Oakdale Cemetery. Name Ronald Hamilton War(s) Vietnam War Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 6/22/1947 Date of Death 6/23/1967 Cause of Death Killed in Action Place of Death Quảng Ng&atilde;i Province, Vietnam Unit(s) 25th 'Tropic Lightning' Inf. Div. 35th Inf. Reg. 2nd Bat. Co. C Ronald Lloyd Hamilton was the third Voices from the Stone Honoree in 2017. Ron was born on June 22nd, 1947 in Marion to Lloyd and Bernice Hamilton of Richwood. As a child, Ron attended Richwood schools. At the age of eighteen, Ron went to Battlecreek, Michigan, where he studied to be an auto mechanic. Ron was drafted in the fall of 1966, and attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th 'Tropic Lightning' Infantry Division. He was deployed to Vietnam, arriving on March 20th, 1967. On the day after his twentieth birthday, June 23rd , 1967, Ron was tragically killed by an enemy grenade. For his actions during the engagement he was killed in, Ron was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. His body was transported back to the United States, and he was buried at York Center Cemetery on the 4th of July, 1967. <footer id="

2016 Veteran Honoree: Ransom Reed Name Ransom Reed War(s) Civil War Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 1840 Date of Death 9/10/1861 Cause of Death Killed in Action Place of Death Carnifex Ferry, West Virginia Unit(s) 13th O.V.I Co. F Ransom Reed, the first man from Union County to die in the Civil War, was 2016's Voices from the Stone Honoree. Ransom was born sometime during 1840 in Paris Township. Ransom would serve in the 13th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F. Unfortunately, Reed was killed during the Battle of Carnifex Ferry on September 10th, 1861. Ransom is buried in Grafton, West Virginia. <footer id="

2015 Veteran Honoree: James Cochenour Name James Cochenour War(s) World War Two, Korean War Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 10/01/1922 Date of Death Captured 11/30/1950, found dead 2/28/1951 Cause of Death Prisoner of War, executed Place of Death Ch'ongch'on River Unit(s) 82nd Airborne Div. 508th Parachute Inf. Reg. 3rd Bat. Co. I (World War Two) 8th Army, 2nd Inf. Div. 23rd Inf. Reg. Co. L (Korean War) James Cochenour had the honor of being the 2015 "Voices from the Stone" Honoree. James was born on October 1, 1922 at a farm just outside of Plain City. James was the second child of Wilby and Donna Cochenour. He had an older brother named John, a younger brother named Jerry, and a little sister named Donna Jean. He attended Jerome Rural Township School in New California. He was active in sports as wells as the Future Farmers of America, Boys' Chorus, and Literary Club. After James graduated in 1940, he stayed at home to help on the farm. James enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 5, 1942 and was officially sworn in in December, 1942. In 1943, after basic training, James decided to join the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and was assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion. In January, 1944, the 508th was assigned to the 82nd "All American" Division for the Invasion of Europe. On June 6, 1944, James and the rest of the division were dropped south of Utah Beach to secure the area around the Ste. Mere-Eglise road junction. The 508th served in Normandy until July 11, 1944 when they were transferred back to England to recuperate. On September 17, 1944, James and the 508th were dropped in Holland to secure bridges in and around Nijmegen during Operation Market Garden. The 508th remained in Holland until November 2, 1944 when they returned to France to rest. However, their rest was not long as the Germans launched the attack known as the Battle of the Bulge on December 16, 1944. The 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were the only reserves close by, so James and the 82nd were sent through Bastogne to defend bridges at Trois-Ponts and Vielsalm, Belgium. The 82nd joined the counter-attack to drive back the Germans and in late January or early February James was wounded in action. In April, 1945, the 508th was re-assigned and eventually became the guard unit for General Eisenhower after the German surrender in May. James remained with the 508th until November, 1945, when he was discharged from the regular Army as a Tech or Platoon Sergeant. While serving in World War Two James won the following decorations: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct medal, Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign medal, European Theater medal with four battle stars, WWII Victory medal, Army of Occupation medal, Dutch Bronze Cross, Belgian Fourragere, and Combat Infantry badge. In 1946, James enlisted in the Army Reserves and was assigned to the 2nd Army. Sometime in the late 1940's or early 1950 he married Mary Lou Rausch of Plain City. In July, 1950, James was assigned to Company L, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and left for Korea July 23, 1950. The 2nd first entered combat on August 24, 1950 along the Pusan Perimeter. During a counter-attack on the Naktong River on September 16, 1950, James made a three mile round trip under enemy fire several times to bring ammunition and grenades to his men. For his heroism, he received the Bronze Star and was promoted to Master Sergeant. As the 2nd drove north it became the first American force to enter the North Korean capital of Pyongyang while continuing to drive north towards the Yalu River. The Chinese Chairman Mao Tse-Tung, fearing a UN invasion, ordered 260,000 soldiers into Korea. At the Battle of Ch'ongch'on River, the 2nd Division was given the task of protecting the 8th Army's flank and rear. The 2nd Division was surrounded and had to fight their way out of a 6 mile long Chinese roadblock called the "Gauntlet". It was during this action that James was captured on November 30, 1950. On February 28, 1951, James' body, along with many others, was found during a UN offensive. James and the others had had their hands wired behind their backs before being shot in the head by their captors, either Chinese or Korean. James' body was returned to the United States and he now rests at Forest Grove Cemetery, Plain City. For his Service in Korea, James was awarded the Bronze Star, National Defense medal, Korean Service medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, another Combat Infantry badge, and posthumously the UN Service medal, Republic of Korea War Service medal, and the Prisoner of War medal. <footer id="

2014 Veteran Honorees: Ralph Berger, Dyer Bird Name Ralph Berger War(s) World War I Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 7/03/1898 Date of Death 6/02/1918 Cause of Death Missing in Action Place of Death Near Hau d'Ancerviller, France Unit(s) 42nd 'Rainbow' Div. 166th Inf. Reg. Co. E Ralph Berger was one of the two Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2014. Ralph was born on July 3rd, 1898 to John and Lucy Berger of Marysville. Ralph was the second oldest of eight children. When he was sixteen, Ralph enlisted in the 4th Ohio Infantry and was assigned to Company E. Prior to World War I, Ralph fought in the Mexican Border War. In 1917, the Regiment was re-christened the 166th Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Infantry Division and was sent to France. By early 1918 the Regiment was in the trenches. On June 2nd, 1918, Ralph was sent on a night patrol. The patrol encountered a German force, and during the ensuing engagement, Ralph was wounded. Ralph's comrades temporarily left him in a shell hole for protection, but after the engagement was over, Ralph had vanished. Even after the area was searched, Ralph was not found. He was presumed dead. At the time of his disappearance, Ralph was only nineteen. His remains were never found. Ralph's name is listed on the "Tablet of the Missing" at the Saint Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiacourt, France. Name Dyer Bird War(s) World War I Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 1/05/1900 Date of Death 3/02/1918 Cause of Death Killed in Action Place of Death Near Domjevin, France Unit(s) 42nd 'Rainbow' Div. 166th Inf. Reg. 1st Bat. Co. D Dyer Bird was the other Voices from the Stone Honoree in 2014. Dyer was born on January 5th, 1900 to Edwin and Mary Bird of Taylor Township. Unfortunately, Dyer's mother died from Typhoid Fever before he was even a year old. Dyer would grow up on his grandparent's farm, moving to Marion after the death of his grandfather. On July 15th, 1917, Dyer enlisted in Company D, 4th Ohio Infantry. Shortly thereafter, the Regiment was renamed the 166th Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Infantry Division and sent to France. By early 1918, the Regiment was in the trenches. The 1st Battalion, of which Company D was a part, was the first battalion to man the trenches from the 166th. On March 2nd, during a transition between the 1st and 3rd Battalions, Dyer spotted a German raiding party. After throwing two grenades, Dyer attempted to warn his comrades, but was struck by a fatal blow to the head. Dyer had just turned eighteen. Dyer Bird was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre, the highest French award for valor at that time, for his actions that deadly night. His funeral was attended by the Division Commander, then Colonel Douglas MacArthur, and many high-ranking French officers. Although he was originally buried near Domjevin, France, Dyer's body was exhumed and re-buried at the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery at Romagne, France. <footer id="

2013 Veteran Honorees: John "Blackie" Porter, Harold Neibler Name John "Blackie" Porter War(s) World War II Service Branch(es) Army Air Corps Date of Birth 2/27/1916 Date of Death 12/10/1943 Cause of Death Killed in Action (Plane was shot down) Place of Death Burma Unit(s) India-China Wing, Air Transport Command John "Blackie" Porter had the honor of being one of the two Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2013. Blackie was born on February 27th, 1916. He attended Marysville schools, graduating in 1934. By 1940, he was working for a publishing company in Dayton when he decided to enlist in the Army Air Corps. Blackie, who had at some point learned to fly, graduated from pilot school quickly and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on July 11th, 1941. Blackie married his sweetheart on December 10th, 1941. Prior to 1943, Blackie accrued many hours of flight time and experience. In March, 1943, Blackie's brother was killed in North Africa, and Blackie began to look for a way to get into combat. In June, 1943, Blackie was assigned to Jorhat, India to fly cargo planes. He decided to begin a search and rescue team, and managed to convince his superiors to make the unit official in October, 1943. He and his crew made history on November 6th, 1943, when they managed to down a fighter plane from an unarmed transport. On December 10th, 1943, Blackie's second anniversary, the team heard a distress signal from a transport. Upon arriving at the location of the downed transport, the team's plane was ambushed by Japanese fighter planes. The team's plane's left engine was destroyed, and Blackie gave the order to bail. Due to the close proximity of the mountains and the plane's low altitude, only the co-pilot was able to bail before the plane crashed. No one still on the plane survived. Blackie's body was never recovered. His name is list on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. Name Harold Neibler War(s) World War II Service Branch(es) Army Air Corps Date of Birth 5/22/1917 Date of Death 12/10/1943 Cause of Death Killed in Action (Plane was shot down) Place of Death Burma Unit(s) India-China Wing, Air Transport Command Harold Neibler had the honor of being one of the two Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2013. Harold was born on May 22nd, 1917. He grew up in Paris Township, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1936. By 1942, Harold was working as an aeronautical engineer for the Curtiss-Wright Airplane Corporation in Columbus. Because his job was considered an essential wartime job, Harold was deferred from the draft, although he chose to enlist in the Army Air Corps anyway. Harold worked as a crew chief in New York, Kentucky, and Florida, before being assigned to the China-Burma-India Theater in the August of 1943. Initially Harold worked on a ground crew, but was transferred to Captain John "Blackie" Porter's Search and Rescue team in the October of 1943. Captain Porter was the other Voices from the Stone Honoree in 2013. On December 10th, 1943, the team heard a distress signal from a transport and went to investigate. Upon arriving at the location of the downed transport, the team's plane was ambushed by Japanese fighter planes. The team's plane's left engine was destroyed, and Captain Porter gave the order to bail. Due to the plane's loss in altitude and the proximity of the mountains, only one of the crew members was able to bail before the plane crashed. Sadly, Harold was among the dead. His body was never recovered. Harold's name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. <footer id="

2012 Veteran Honorees: Melviron Wilcox, Richard Wilcox, Charles Wilcox Name Melviron Wilcox War(s) Civil War Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 1815 Date of Death 7/17/1864 Cause of Death Killed in Action Place of Death Big Shanty, Georgia Unit(s) 121st O.V.I. Co. C Melviron Wilcox was one of the three Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2012 and the father of the other two Honorees that year. Melviron was born in 1815. His eldest son, Charles, would be born in 1839, and his younger son would be born in 1843. Melviron enlisted in the 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry sometime in the fall of 1862 and was assigned to Company C. Melviron and the regiment would fight in many different Civil War battles, including the Battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge. Unfortunately, Melviron was killed during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Melviron is buried at the Nashville National Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. Name Richard Wilcox War(s) Civil War Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 1843 Date of Death 6/26/1864 Cause of Death Killed in Action Place of Death Chattanooga, Tennessee Unit(s) 66th O.V.I. Co. F Richard Wilcox was one of the three Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2012 and the son and brother of the other two Honorees that year. Richard was born sometime in 1843. In the fall of 1861, Richard and his brother Charles enlisted in the 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and were assigned to Company F. The 66th fought in many battles, notably the Battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chattanooga, Chancellorsville, and Kennesaw Mountain. Sadly, Richard was killed sometime during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The location of Richard's grave is unknown. Name Charles Wilcox War(s) Civil War Service Branch(es) Army Date of Birth 12/11/1839 Date of Death 6/11/1879 Cause of Death N/A Place of Death N/A Unit(s) 66th O.V.I. Co. F Charles Wilcox was one of the three Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2012 and the brother and son of the other two Honorees that year. Charles was born on December 11th, 1839. He, along with his brother Richard, enlisted in the 66th Ohio Volunteer in the fall of 1861. Along with his brother Richard, Charles fought in a variety of battles from Fredericksburg to Kennesaw Mountain. However, unlike his brother and father, Charles would survive the war. He would die on June 11th, 1879. Charles is buried at Mt. Herman cemetery in Dover Township. <footer id="