Sun staff
The Clermont County Veterans’ Service Commission recognized several veterans and their family members May 16 during a medals ceremony at Stonelick Hills Country Club in Batavia.
Veterans who were recognized during the event included Paul Myers, Michael Gaible, the late Edward Susshine, David Mills, Walker Fields and the late Donald Greenwood.
Also recognized during the ceremony were Ohio Veterans’ Hall of Fame for Valor inductees Danny Bare, Bob Derr, Joseph Walriven, Stephen Heck, the late Edgar Aston, and the late John Wageman.
Myers, of Batavia, a United States Army World War II veteran, received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Gaible, of Blanchester, a United States Army Vietnam War Veteran, received the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Marksman M-14, Expert M-16, and two overseas bars.
Susshine, of Amelia, a United States Army peacetime veteran received the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Professional NCO Academy Ribbon and Marksman M-16. His wife, Katrina, received the medals on his behalf.
“It is such and honor,” Katrina Susshine said about receiving her late husband’s medals. “He would have been overwhelmed. He would have been so honored as a veteran to receive this type of award.”
Susshine said she is thankful for everything the veterans’ service commission has done for her, especially since her husband passed away six months ago.
Mills, of Loveland, a United States Army Vietnam War veteran, received the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, Combat Infantry Badge, and Expert M-60 Sharpshooter Rifle.
Walker Fields, of Williamsburg, a United States Army World War II veteran, received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze stars, Army of Occupation Medal Germany, World War II Victory Medal, and Knight of the Legion of Honor Medal from France.
“It means a lot,” Fields said about receiving his medals. “It means the people appreciate the service of protecting our country.”
Fields said he doesn’t like to talk about what happened when he served in World War II, spending many months on the front lines, but he said it has been nice to work with the veterans’ service commission and to receive his medals.
Greenwood, a United States Army Korean War veteran, received the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Koreak Korean War Service Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Greenwood’s sister Carolyn Haynes and nephew Jerry Greenwood received the medals on his behalf.
“It means a lot,” Carolyn Haynes, Greenwood’s sister, said about receiving his medals. “It would mean even more if they could bring his body back.”
Haynes said Greenwood was missing in action, but that officials have found his body. She said someday she hopes they will be able to bring his body back to America.
The veterans who attended the ceremony received their medals as well as certificates from Ohio State Representative John Becker and Ohio Senator Joe Uecker. Clermont County Commissioners Ed Humphrey and David Uible also attended the ceremony.
Reuniting veterans with their medals is just on of the services provided by the Clermont County Veterans’ Service Commission.
For more information about the commission, visit http://www.clermontcountyveterans.com/.