» RELATED: A tale of 3 local heroes
Seven Medal of Honor recipients from or accredited to Ohio are still living. Two recipients, Frank Herda and Ronald Rosser, still call Ohio home.
Frank Herda
Herda was issued his Medal of Honor on May 13, 1970 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Herda served as a Private First Class in the United States Army with the 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.
» MORE COVERAGE: Ohio's Medal of Honor recipients
Herda was stationed with Company A, 1st Battalion in Vietnam when, on June 29, 1968, a large enemy force initiated an attack. Herda protected two of his comrades from a grenade blast by using his body to cover the grenade. He received grievous wounds. Herda, 70, is currently living in Cleveland and is the author of The Chronicles of The Dragon of the Magi series.
Ronald Rosser
Ronald Rosser was issued his Medal of Honor on June 27, 1952 for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. Rosser served as a Corporal in the Heavy Mortar Company for the United States Army during the Korean War.
Credit: Scott Olson
Credit: Scott Olson
On Jan. 12 1952, Rosser was a forward observer with the lead platoon of Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, as they were assaulting heavily fortified enemy hill positions. When the company came under fire from two directions, Rosser gave his assistant his radio and charged the enemy positions with only a carbine and a grenade.
Rosser charged the enemy’s bunkers three times, each time exhausting his ammunition before retreating to gather more. When the platoon retreated, Rosser made several trips across open terrain under enemy fire to help rescue men more injured then he was. Rosser, 88, currently lives in Roseville, Ohio.
The five other living Medal of Honor recipients from Ohio:
| Name | Conflict | Branch | Residence | Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Byers Jr. | Afghanistan | Navy | N/A | 2016 |
| Sammy Davis | Vietnam | Army | Indiana | 1968 |
| Arthur Jackson | World War II | Marine Corps | Idaho | 1945 |
| Gordon Roberts | Vietnam | Army | North Carolina | 1971 |
| Brian Thacker | Vietnam | Army | Maryland | 1973 |
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