Red, White & You: Honoring New Hampshire’s Military Heroes

New Hampshire has a storied tradition of military service, with countless individuals dedicating their lives to protecting our nation. While words can't fully capture the immense gratitude we feel for our servicemen and women, Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to highlight a few remarkable veterans and active-duty military members from our state. Read about their stories below, and if you know a military hero who deserves recognition, we’d love to hear from you! Simply answer a few questions, and we’ll take care of the rest.

1. Lt. John E. Gauthier (1920-2024)

A lifelong Laconia resident and World War II fighter pilot, Lt. John E. Gauthier left behind a lasting legacy in New Hampshire. Drafted into the Army shortly after high school, Gauthier rose from private to officer, earning his wings in the Army Air Corps and flying throughout WWII. After the war, he remained in the reserves for 30 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel, and later co-owned a commuter airline serving Laconia and Boston. Gauthier went on to become a respected auto dealer and a pillar of his community, serving in leadership roles with local banks, hospitals and the Laconia Airport Authority. Read more here.

2. Sgt. Ryan Pitts

Nashua native Ryan Pitts was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery during one of the most intense battles of the Afghanistan War. In July 2008, while seriously wounded and under relentless fire at Observation Post Topside in Kunar Province, Pitts held the line alone—calling in critical support and fending off insurgents until reinforcements arrived. After leaving the Army in 2009, Pitts earned his degree from the University of New Hampshire and returned to his hometown, where he now lives with his family and works in business development. He is also among 61 living Medal of Honor recipients recognized at the newly opened National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. Read more here.

3. Maj. Gen. Gretchen S. Dunkelberger

A graduate of the University of New Hampshire and longtime member of the New Hampshire Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Gretchen S. Dunkelberger has built a distinguished career in military medicine. She served for over a decade at Pease Air National Guard Base, including as commander of the 157th Medical Group, before rising to her current role as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Surgeon General of the U.S. Air Force. Commissioned in 1983, she has held critical leadership roles, deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and helped shape national health policy for more than 6,000 Air Guard medical personnel. Read more here.

4. Wilfred Cyr

A World War II veteran and beloved local hero, Wilfred Cyr was honored ahead of Veterans Day 2024 during a ceremony at Idlehurst Elementary School in Somersworth. Drafted at age 18, Cyr served in the Army’s 776th Battalion, known as “Liberty Bell,” where he protected English airfields from aerial attacks. Though recent years kept him attending virtually, Cyr returned in person for the 2024 ceremony, receiving one of nearly 80 roses given to veterans connected to the school community. His presence was met with admiration from students and staff alike, a reminder of the living history he represents. Read more here.

5. Sgt. Tom Block

U.S. Army Sgt. Tom Block, now a resident of New Hampshire, was seriously injured during his fourth deployment with the 75th Ranger Regiment while serving as part of a joint task force in Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province. In October 2013, an explosive device detonated in close proximity to his unit during an operation to prevent a planned attack. The blast resulted in the loss of his right eye, significant damage to his remaining vision and extensive shrapnel and leg injuries. Block’s resilience through over a dozen surgeries and intense rehabilitation earned him the Army Times Soldier of the Year award in 2014. In 2019, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors and partner organizations built a fully accessible home for Block and his family, supporting his continued recovery and life in the Granite State. Read more here.

Do you know a veteran or active military member who deserves recognition? We’d love to hear their story! Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured on Patch!