Red, White & You: Honoring Ohio’s Military Heroes

Ohio 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. Spc. Kenneth David

A native of Girard, Specialist Fourth Class Kenneth David was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2024 for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War. While serving as a radio-telephone operator in 1970, David deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to protect his fellow soldiers, sustaining injuries in the process. President Biden praised his selflessness during the Washington, D.C. ceremony, calling him a hero. David, the only living recipient honored that day, has continued to support fellow veterans through organizations like the Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He’s also been recognized with the Distinguished Service Cross and was inducted into both the Ohio Military Hall of Fame and the 101st Airborne Division's Distinguished Regiment. Read more here.

2. Dave Levacy

Dave Levacy, a longtime Millersport resident and Army veteran, was recently inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame for his outstanding post-military service. Drafted in 1965, Levacy served until 1967 before dedicating his time to public service for the past few decades. He worked as a paramedic and fire chief in Millersport before serving on the Village Council and as Fairfield County Commissioner since 2012. Levacy and his wife Ann are still very active in the community. Read more here.

3. Daniel “Duke” Heller

Raised near Cincinnati and now splitting time between Ohio and Florida, Marine Corps veteran Daniel “Duke” Heller served 13 months in Vietnam, including during the brutal Operation Dewey Canyon. On Feb. 13, 1969, Heller braved enemy fire in the A Shau Valley to rescue multiple wounded comrades, sustaining shrapnel wounds while saving lives. He returned to the firefight, eliminating four enemy soldiers and helping drive back the North Vietnamese forces. More than 55 years later, in August 2024, Heller was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for valor in combat during a Washington, D.C. ceremony. He's also honored the memory of fallen comrades, including leading efforts to mark a friend’s unmarked grave. Read more here.

4. J. Lori Stone

Air Force veteran J. Lori Stone, a longtime Austintown resident, was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2019 for her remarkable post-service contributions. Since 2007, she has dedicated over 17,500 volunteer hours at the Youngstown VA Clinic, where she developed a food pantry that now distributes more than 6,200 food bags annually. She also led a successful $40,000 fundraising effort to secure a transport van for veterans needing care in Cleveland. A Life Member of the Air Force Association and AMVETS, Stone has earned numerous honors, including the VA’s Superior Service Award and the 2018 Veteran of the Year title from the United Veterans Council of Youngstown. Today, Stone continues to give back to her community by volunteering daily, considering her fellow volunteers and staff members "part of the family." Read more here.

5. Richard T. Baldwin

A U.S. Army and Marine Corps veteran from Mahoning County, Richard T. Baldwin was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2019 for his decades of public service. He served 33 years with the Youngstown Police Department, including as part of the Tactical Response Team and the FBI’s Fugitive Violent Crime Task Force. Over the years, Baldwin has received numerous awards, including the Law Enforcement Purple Heart, Silver Star for Bravery and the Ohio Distinguished Law Enforcement Achievement Award. At 65, he remains active in veterans organizations and has dedicated over a decade to volunteering with groups like Hospice, Meals on Wheels and Special Olympics. 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!