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ODOT crews completed the installation of the memorial highway signs following Monday's dedication ceremony. Sgt. Ronnie Blair's sign is located just before Memorial High School next to the southbound lane on State Route 66 in St. Marys.
ST. MARYS - Over 100 people gathered at The St. Marys Armory on Memorial Day to honor three hometown soldiers killed in action with the dedication of three state and federal highways.
Portions of State Route 29, U.S. Route 33 and State Route 66 were designated on Monday as Army Sgt. Herbert Linville Memorial Highway, Army SSgt. Charles Kettler Memorial Highway and Army Sgt. Ronnie Blair Memorial Highway.
"Let us remember that every road we travel is a testament to the commitment and sacrifice, not only to the three men we are honoring here today, but to all our veterans and their families," St. Marys Mayor Joe Hurlburt Jr. said. "Let today be a day where we can reflect, express our thanks, and honor the courage and strength of these three men, and their families who serve alongside them."
SSgt. Charles Kettler was a member of the Ohio National Guard when he was deployed to the South Pacific during World War II.
The Army SSgt. Charles V. Kettler Memorial Highway was established between mile-marker 24 and mile-marker 29 on U.S. Route 33 in Auglaize County.
SSgt. Kettler was a member of the Ohio National Guard when he was deployed to the South Pacific during World War II. There, he earned a Silver Star for destroying a Japanese machine gun position with grenades. He later died from wounds sustained during the action.
"On May 26, 1943, the parents of Sgt. Kettler were notified that their son had been killed in action," said General Matthew Woodruff, Assistant Adjutant General of Ohio, 37th Brigade Combat Team. "They received a Purple Heart one month later honoring the sacrifice."
Sgt. Herbert Linville served during WWII in the 37th Infantry Division, known as the "Buckeye Division."
The Army Sgt. Herbert C. Linville Memorial Highway was established along State Route 29 between mile-marker 20 and mile-marker 25 in Auglaize County.
Sgt. Linville served during WWII in the 37th Infantry Division, known as the "Buckeye Division." He received the Silver Star for leading a patrol in New Georgia, Solomon Islands, to search for Japanese forces. He was ultimately killed on July 11, 1943 when he attempted to take out a machine gun by himself.
"Rather than jeopardize the entire patrol, Sgt. Linville chose to advance alone in an attempt to accomplish the mission, cognizant that in doing so, it would cost him his life," Woodruff said. "He achieved the attention of the Japanese machine gunner and was killed instantly, but his gallant actions and dedication and devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service."
Sgt. Ronnie Blair served as a squad leader in the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.
The Army Sgt. Ronnie Blair Memorial Highway was established between mile-marker 29 and mile-marker 32 of State Route 66 in Auglaize County.
Sgt. Blair served as a squad leader in the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. He was killed in action in October 1968 in the Hau Nghia Province, Vietnam, after his unit came under small-arms fire by Vietnamese Communist forces. He successfully saved two soldiers lives that were injured during the ambush prior to his death.
"Today, we memorialize not only his name, but the courage, sacrifice and unwavering devotion to duty that he so selflessly demonstrated in combat," said First Sergeant Joel Carson, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii. "Sgt. Blair lived the Wolfhound motto, displaying no fear on Earth. His actions exemplified the courage required and a profound loyalty to his brothers in arms."
The Ohio Department of Transportation Memorial Highway Program began in 1953, and there are now more than 200 memorial highways across the state, ODOT traffic engineer Bryce Havenar said.
"The memorial highways serve as constant reminders of the individuals who sacrifice everything for their community, state and nation," Havenar said. "The majority of the designated highways honor fallen military service members, law enforcement officers, first responders and other public servants. Memorial highways can also be used to honor events, groups and other people significant to the state and local region."
To designate a memorial highway, a state legislator must choose individuals to be considered for the program, he said. Once the selection process is done, a bill is introduced to the Ohio House, then Senate, to approve the newly proposed memorial highway name. Once passed by both the House and Senate, the bill is then sent to the governor's desk to be signed into law. The signs are typically installed within 90 days of the governor's signature.
Rep. Angie King, R-Celina, introduced the legislation to honor the three St. Marys soldiers last summer.
"These local heroes gave their lives in the service of our nation," King said in a statement released at the time of the bill's approval in the State House. "These memorial road namings are a small token of dedication to the sacrifice they made so we may all live free."
