Wenstrup, Wilkin Inducted into Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2024

The Highland County Press

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

Wenstrup has served in the U.S. Congress since 2012, representing Ohio’s 2nd District, and is retiring at the end of the year. He has worked as a podiatrist and as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, and is a veteran of the Iraq War.

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

“Wenstrup also served as assistant to the deputy commander of clinical services (DCCS), which is equivalent to the chief of staff, and served as acting DCCS for three months during his 12-month tour.

“In 2017, Wenstrup was promoted to colonel and during my time in Congress, I completed my reserve duties by serving at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda until I retired 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 deputy representative at the Chillicothe VAMC, where he was recognized earlier this year for his 2,500 volunteer hours. He also serves 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 Post 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-chairman of the Highlanders Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), which represents Highland, Adams and Brown counties, and is the chairman of the Highland Country Revolutionary War Project.

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

Below you will find the original press release.

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 achievements and successes 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 member of the class has met the high standards of the Hall of Fame, which honors extraordinary service and achievement after honorable service in the military. This amazing group has demonstrated great reach and has improved the lives of others through the avenues of healthcare, aerospace engineering, rehabilitation, public service, veterans advocacy, motivational speaking, volunteerism, philanthropy and much more.

This year’s Induction Ceremony is scheduled for November 7 at 10 a.m. in 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 guests of honor and a family member of posthumous Marine Corps veteran Billy M. Harris.

“Congratulations to the 20 remarkable veterans who will be inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2024,” said Director Ashenhurst. “Your dedication to not only serving our country, but also your continued commitment to making a difference in your communities exemplifies the highest ideals of civic 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 accomplishments 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, More

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 group members and their upcoming introduction.

The class of 2024 consists of 974 Ohio veterans who have been admitted and represents all eras, branches of service, and walks of life.

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

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

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

For more information, call (614) 644-0898, email [email protected] or visit the Hall of Fame website.

Editor’s Note: A free press is essential for informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or expensive paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for our community for the past 25 years. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, PO Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include “for website” in the memo line.