Wenstrup, Wilkin named to Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2024

The Highland County Press

Two U.S. Army veterans from Highland County in Rep. Brad Wenstrup and Gerold (Buzzard) W. Wilkin have been named to the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2024, as announced Monday afternoon.

Wenstrup has served as a member of U.S. Congress since 2012, representing Ohio’s Second District, and will retire at the end of this year. He has served as a podiatrist and as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and is a veteran of the Iraq War.

According to his U.S. House biography, Wenstrup joined the Army Reserves at the age of 39 and “received a direct commission as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Service Corps. Upon completion of the Officers Advanced Course in 2004, he promoted to the rank of major and then deployed in 2005 with the US Army’s 344th Combat Support Hospital, Task Force 344, to Abu Ghraib, Iraq, where he served as the podiatrist, the Chief of Surgery and the Director of the Wound Care Clinic.

“Wenstrup also served as the assistant to the Deputy Commander, Clinical Services (DCCS), equivalent to Chief of Staff, and served as the acting DCCS for three months during his 12-month tour.

“In 2017, Wenstrup was promoted to colonel and during my time in Congress, I’ve fulfilled my Reserve duties by serving at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, until retiring from the Army Reserve in 2022, after 24 years. “

Wilkin is a Vietnam War veteran and currently serves as the Sons of the American Revolution’s Deputy Representative to the Chillicothe VAMC, where he was recognized earlier this year for serving over 2,500 volunteer hours. He is also on the Volunteer Committee at the Ohio Veterans Home (OVH) in Georgetown.

Wilkin is a life member of the American Legion Post 129, AmVets Post 61, DAV Post 123, Eagles Aerie 1161, Hillsboro Elks Lodge 361, VFW Post 9094 and Clermont Vietnam Veterans and a member of the Highland County Veterans Honor Guard.  Wilkin is the first Vice-President of the Highlanders Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), representing Highland, Adams and Brown counties, and is the chairman for the Highland Country Revolutionary War Project.

Wilkin organizes and participates in numerous efforts for local veterans, including hosting an annual National Vietnam War Veterans Day observance and Wreaths Across America Day ceremony.  

The original press release follows.

Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2024 announced

Ohio Department of Veterans Services
Press Release

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) Director Deborah Ashenhurst are proud to announce the members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Twenty outstanding inductees will be honored for their post-military accomplishments and achievements at the 33rd annual Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in November. This stellar class represents 14 Ohio counties and four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Living members of the class range in age from 39 to 84 and there is one posthumous inductee.

Each class member meets the high standards of the Hall of Fame, which honors outstanding service and accomplishment following honorable service in the military. This amazing group has demonstrated a wide reach and has improved the lives of others through the avenues of healthcare, aerospace engineering, rehabilitation, public service, veteran advocacy, motivational speaking, volunteerism, philanthropy and much more.

This year’s Induction Ceremony is set for Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Fawcett Center (2400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus 43210) on the campus of The Ohio State University. The public is welcome to attend.

Director Ashenhurst recently had the privilege of personally congratulating all 19 living honorees and a family member of posthumous inductee Marine Corps veteran Billy M. Harris.

"Congratulations to the 20 remarkable veterans who will be inducted into the 2024 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame," Director Ashenhurst said. "Your dedication to not only serving our nation, but your continued commitment to making a difference in your communities exemplify the highest ideals of civilian service. On behalf of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and the great citizens of the State of Ohio, we are proud to celebrate your achievements and honor your extraordinary contributions. Your legacy of leadership and service continues to inspire us all."

The 2024 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Inductees (* Posthumous Award) are:
 
Andrew K. Anderson III, Army, Greene
 
Marshall P. Bahr, Army, Columbiana
 
Guion S. Bluford Jr., Air Force, Cuyahoga
 
Kenneth L. Bonnell, Army, Union
 
Michael W. Carrell, Air Force, Fairfield
 
Joseph Gary Fenderbosch, Army, Gallia
 
Jason M. Graven, Army, Wood
 
Billy M. Harris *, Marine Corps, Ashland
 
Edward P. Horvath Jr., Army, Navy, Cuyahoga
 
Richard D. Johnson, Air Force, Union
 
Adolph S. Klosowski, Army, Lake
 
Mark E. Landers, Army, Montgomery
 
David L. Levacy, Army, Fairfield
 
Franklin D. LeValley, Air Force, Clark
 
Anthony G. Massoud, Army, Montgomery
 
Robert A. McDonald, Army, Hamilton
 
JP Nauseef, Air Force, Montgomery
 
Brad R. Wenstrup, Army, Highland
 
JD Wetterling, Air Force, Warren
 
Gerold W. Wilkin, Army, Highland.
 
Stay tuned to OhioVets.gov in the coming weeks for more information about the class members and their upcoming induction.

The Class of 2024 joins 974 Ohio veterans who have been inducted and represents all eras, branches of service and walks of life.

The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 1992 by former Gov. George Voinovich to recognize the post-military achievements of outstanding Ohio veterans. Charter members include the six Ohio veterans who were elected President of the United States as well as Medal of Honor recipients from Ohio. Honorees include astronauts, entrepreneurs, community leaders, safety officers, veteran advocates and government officials.

The members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame are honored in a permanent display at the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, 77 S. High St., Columbus.

ODVS, on behalf of and in collaboration with the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Executive Committee, administers the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Comprised of 13 veteran volunteers, the Executive Committee members serve as advisors to the Hall of Fame and their primary purpose is to select up to 20 honorees annually.

For more information, call (614) 644-0898, email HallOfFame@dvs.ohio.gov or visit the Hall of Fame website.

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