Ohio Governor Mike DeWine presided over a ceremony on May 1 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus inducting 20 people into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame and awarded the Ohio Medal of Valor to each. There were three inductees from Washington County and one from Noble County. (Photo submitted)

COLUMBUS – A group of three veterans from Washington County and one from Noble County were recently inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for valiant service to their country and their fellow soldiers.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Meredith L. Barnett, U.S. Army Technical Sgt. Harley E. Thomas, U.S. Army Sgt. John T. Bineger and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Sgt George Mizik were apart of the induction of 20 individuals into the Hall of Fame that was held May 1 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine delivering remarks and presenting awards.

“This is an event I always look forward to and it is an event where when we listen to the descriptions of what the honorees…have done, it is just amazing,” the governor said. “We gain great inspiration by them and the lives they have lived.

“We gather here to induct into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame 20 heroes, eight of whom are no longer with us as three were killed in combat.”

Sgt. Barnett, Sgt. Thomas and Sgt. Mizik were inducted posthumously while Sgt. Bineger was unable to attend the ceremony.

Ann Kinceid, the daughter of U.S. Army veteran Sgt. Harley Thomas, accepted the Ohio Medal of Valor on his behalf from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine during an induction ceremony for Thomas into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame on May 1 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. (Photo Submitted)

DeWine spoke about recognizing all of the inductees for their bravery and their service to their country. To be inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame, a veteran must have been awarded a military medal of valor and be born in or enter the service in the state of Ohio.

“(The inductees) each showed remarkable bravery on the battlefield and they deserve our great thanks and recognition,” DeWine said.

With the induction of the 20 individuals on May 1, the Ohio Military Hall of Fame now has 537 total members. Each inductee was also presented with the Ohio Medal of Valor.

“They represent their proud communities throughout Ohio,” DeWine said. “To their families and their home communities, we salute you for raising such honorable men.

“These inductees have faced overwhelming odds, confronted hostile forces, dodged enemy fire, remained calm in the face of danger and protected their brothers and sisters in arms. We salute all of them for their service which went above and beyond the call of duty and for that service we are all forever grateful. The men and women in our armed services risk everything for our freedom.”

Military Order of Purple Heart Veterans Service Commissioner Larry Proctor (left) shakes hands with U.S. Army Sgt. John T. Bineger (right) in a photo from Bineger's induction ceremony in the 2019 Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame. Bineger was recently inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame. (Photo submitted)

Sgt. Barnett, who was born in Marietta, was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company I, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.

On Nov. 6, 1970, while occupying a night defensive position northwest of DaNang, Sgt. Barnett’s platoon came under an artillery attack, the first round of which detonated approximately two hundred yards distant, officials read during the ceremony detailing Barnett’s being awarded the Silver Star.

“As more rounds were heard coming in, and with members of the platoon unable to reach covered positions, Sgt. Barnett rushed to the Marine nearest him and threw himself on top of the man seconds before another round detonated only ten feet away,” they read. “Although mortally wounded by this explosion, Sgt. Barnett succeeded in protecting his companion.

“By his great personal valor, inspiring initiative, and self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of a fellow Marine, Sgt. Barnett upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.”

Barnett’s sister Sharon Barnett accepted the Ohio Medal of Valor award on his behalf.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Meredith L. Barnett

Sgt. Thomas, born in Lower Salem, Ohio, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Germany during World War II.

While moving down a heavily wooded draw, Sgt Thomas was the lead scout for his platoon. Not until he passed a well camouflaged enemy dugout and its two machine guns commenced firing did he notice its presence, officials read during the ceremony detailing Thomas’ being awarded the Silver Star.

“The enemy machine guns halted the advance of the platoon and Sgt. Thomas ran and crawled 100 yards under intense fire to reach a position where he could neutralize the fire,” they read. “While moving towards his goal, he observed more enemy soldiers approaching the platoon’s position and killed them with his rifle.

“He then delivered fire against the enemy machine guns, enabling his platoon to maneuver to a new position without casualties. His quick thinking and prompt action reflect great credit on himself and the military service.”

Thomas’ daughter Ann Kinceid accepted the Ohio Medal of Valor on his behalf.

U.S. Army Technical Sgt. Harley E. Thomas

Sgt. Bineger, born in New Matamoras, Ohio and currently resides in Lowell Ohio, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

Sgt. Bineger distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on March, 23, 1969, while serving as door gunner of an OH-6A helicopter during a combat mission near Tay Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, officials read during the ceremony detailing Bineger’s service.

“His aircraft was working in an area in which two aircraft had been shot down on the two previous days when it came under intense hostile fire which wounded Sgt. Bineger and damaged the aircraft controls,” they read. “For approximately five minutes, Sgt. Bineger, disregarding his painful wound, placed accurate suppressive fire into the area which enabled the pilot to gain control and fly the aircraft to a safer area.

“Sgt. Bineger’s display of personal bravery and devotion to duty is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

Military Hall of Fame Board Member PJ Coulter accepted the Ohio Medal of Valor on his behalf.

Sgt. Sergeant George P. Mizik, born in Belle Valley, Ohio, was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” Device for heroic achievement while serving as a Litter Bearer of HQ Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan Marianas Islands June 25 to 28, 1944 during World War II, officials read during the ceremony detailing Mizik’s service..

“Participating in the rescue of wounded men, Sgt. Mizik unhesitatingly exposed himself on numerous occasions to both our own and enemy fire and recovered casualties who were in front of friendly lines and, by his fearless action, was instrumental in saving the lives of many men who otherwise might have died,” they read. “His self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of others and his gallantry under fire reflect the highest credit upon Sgt. Mizik and the United States Naval Service.”

Mizik’s daughter Constance “Connie” Mizik accepted the Ohio Medal of Valor on his behalf.

Bineger could not be reached for comment.

Contact Brett Dunlap at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com