Ohio Leaders Honor 19 New Inductees into Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame

“The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame gives us an opportunity to recognize the veterans whose service to Ohio did not end when their military service was complete,” Governor Mike DeWine said.

The Governor and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel welcomed 19 new members into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony in Columbus yesterday, according to governor.ohio.gov.

This latest class of inductees brings the total number of honored veterans in the state to 1,014. The ceremony, hosted by the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS), highlighted individuals who transitioned from honorable military service into roles of distinction within their local communities and the nation at large.

Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony — WDTNTV

These 19 veterans represent 13 different Ohio counties and service across all four branches of the United States Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. The group includes three members of the Ohio National Guard.

Service beyond the uniform

The induction process focuses heavily on post-military life. While military service is the prerequisite, the Hall of Fame specifically targets those who use the values learned in uniform to strengthen the civic fabric of Ohio.

“When you look at the men and women being inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, you are looking at the very best of what it means to lead,” Lt. Governor Tressel said. “Their commitment to our country didn’t end when they took off their uniform. It was just the beginning of another chapter of remarkable service.”

Maj. Gen. (U.S. Army, retired) John C. Harris Jr., the director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, noted that the inductees embody the compassion and leadership necessary to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

The 2026 class spans all eras of service and various walks of life, mirroring the diverse demographic of the state’s veteran population. This continuity of service is a central theme for the ODVS, which seeks to highlight how military discipline translates into community stability and leadership.

The 2026 inductee class

The following individuals were recognized for their continued service to the state and nation:

Jan Brown Inducted into Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame — WKBN27

David A. Babcock, Air Force, Clark
Christi S. Bartman, Air Force, Delaware
Janette C. Brown, Air Force, Mahoning
Ronald S. Clark, Army, Highland
Robert H. Doyle, Navy, Greene
Jeffrey R. Earley, Army, Franklin
J. Warren Keifer*, Army, Clark
Jacquelyn Kemp, Army, Franklin
Justin D. LeHew, Marine Corps, Putnam
Robert P. Madison, Army, Cuyahoga
Paul M. Moyer, Air Force, Greene
Jamie L. Paxton, Air Force, Lucas
Clifford E. Pinkney, Army, Cuyahoga
Gary “Doc” Rezabek, Army, Medina
Gregory A. Roseberry, Air Force, Jackson
Tim Spradlin, Air Force, Greene
Mark E. Storer, Army, Franklin
John W. Tepper, Army, Ross
Timothy E. Waechter, Army, Warren

*Posthumous Award

A legacy of distinction

The Hall of Fame is not a new initiative, but one with deep historical roots in Ohio’s civic recognition programs. It was established in 1992 by former Governor George Voinovich to specifically honor the post-military achievements of veterans.

The prestige of the Hall is reflected in its charter members, which include six Ohio veterans who were elected President of the United States, alongside Medal of Honor recipients. Over the decades, the roster has grown to include astronauts, entrepreneurs, and government officials, illustrating the broad impact veterans have on the state’s economic and social development.

“Every day, Ohio veterans continue serving our communities by making positive contributions and inspiring future generations,” Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, Ohio adjutant general, said.

Biographical information for the 2026 class and details regarding past honorees are maintained by the state at OhioVets.gov.