In Memory of Our Fallen Heroes

Raymond Baldauf

Lance Corporal Raymond Baldauf was born and raised on Avon Belden Road, where his family ran a local farm stand. He was killed in action in 1969, from a gunshot wound inflicted during hostile fire in the Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam. He is buried at St. Peter Cemetery. His mother, Marcella, joined the Gold Star Mothers and marched in Memorial Day parades for many years in honor of her son’s sacrifice. *More information about Ray is available from the Historical Society Archives.

Michael Brundage

Spec-4 Michael Brundage enlisted in the U.S. Army in February of 1968. He completed his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was stationed in Germany before volunteering to serve in Vietnam in July of 1969. He was assigned to Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division. While serving near Pleiku in Vietnam's Central Highlands, Michael was wounded in combat and evacuated by helicopter to a military hospital, where he died later that day. He was the fourth serviceman from North Ridgeville to lose his life in the Vietnam War. *More information about Michael is available from the Historical Society Archives.

Charles Flood

SP4 Charles Flood was the first citizen from North Ridgeville to be killed during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966, during his senior year of high school. Charles trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was deployed overseas shortly after. He served in Company B, 815th Engineer Battalion of the 937th Engineer Corps. He was killed on March 10, 1968, at just 18 years old, when enemy forces attacked the area where his unit was working. He was laid to rest in North Ridgeville Cemetery with full military honors. *More information about Charles is available from the Historical Society Archives.

Edward Gibbons

Captain Edward Gibbons is the only known soldier from North Ridgeville lost during World War I. He served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Sergeant, and later re-enlisted at the age of 30. He trained at Camp Sherman in Ohio and became part of the 311th Infantry Regiment. He was killed in action less than a year into his reenlistment and is buried at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France. In his honor, a weeping willow was planted at the Town Hall. Later, his name was added to the town's WWII War Monument as a permanent tribute.

Raymond Gilchrist

Private Raymond Gilchrist graduated from Ridgeville High School in 1942 and lived on Bagley Road in North Ridgeville. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served in the 175th Field Artillery Battalion. While working with the Army Intelligence Department, Pvt. Gilchrist was killed in action in January of 1944 during operations in Italy. He is laid to rest in Field's Cemetery here in North Ridgeville.

Carl Hunt

Corporal Carl Hunt was born in Cleveland and spent most of his life in Ridgeville Township. A standout basketball player, he graduated from Ridgeville High School in 1939. He joined the U.S. Army in July 1942 and served as a Technician, 5th Grade, in the 80th Reconnaissance Troop of the 80th Infantry Division under General Patton. On December 23rd, 1944, his family heard his voice on a radio broadcast from France as he recalled a Christmas from home. Just two weeks later, on January 5th, 1945, they received the heartbreaking news that he had been killed in action in Luxembourg. He was 23 years old. His name is memorialized on the WWII monument at the Old Town Hall and at the Veterans Memorial at South Central Park.

Paul Impiccini

Private Paul Impiccini served in the U.S. Army with the 484th Ordnance Evacuation Company during World War II. While details of his life remain limited, it is known that he was killed in October 1944 after being struck by an artillery shell. He is buried in Belgium at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and is remembered on both the WWII monument at the Old Town Hall and the Veterans Memorial at South Central Park.

Edward Keisler

Technical Sergeant Edward Keisler was born in Lorain and spent part of his youth in North Ridgeville, living with the Diederich family on Avon Belden Road. He held a full-time job before enlisting in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served with distinction as a Ball Turret Gunner in the 388th Bomber Group, 560th Bomber Squadron — a particularly dangerous role due to its vulnerable position beneath the aircraft and limited space for a parachute. In October 1943, during a mission, Keisler’s aircraft was struck by enemy fire. The crew was ordered to bail out before the plane exploded mid-air. Keisler’s body was recovered two months later. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. He is buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium and is honored for his bravery and sacrifice. *More information about Edward is available from the Historical Society Archives.

Gaylord Kerr

Staff Sergeant Gaylord Kerr was born in Pennsylvania but spent most of his life in North Ridgeville. He enlisted in the Army in May 1966 and served with the 177th Paratroopers in Korea for a year. Afterward, he was transferred to Vietnam, where he served a year before reenlisting for a second tour. During his second tour, SSG Kerr was part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division — known as The Flying Circus, a specialized scout group using helicopters to locate enemy positions. On June 3, 1969, while working alongside WO Allen Robertson on designing an explosive device capable of breaching reinforced enemy bunkers, an accidental explosion occurred at the Tay Ninh West Airfield armorer's shack, killing both instantly. SSG Kerr was highly decorated, having earned 37 medals, including 2 Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, and a Purple Heart. *More information about Gaylord is available from the Historical Society Archives.

Morris Kiplinger

Private Morris Kiplinger was born in Elyria and later lived on Center Ridge in North Ridgeville. After graduating from high school, he attended Fenn College for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942. He served in Company L of the 71st Infantry, 44th Division. Pvt. Kiplinger was killed in action near Metz, France, in October 1944. His body was returned to the U.S. in May 1948 and he is buried in Ridgeville Cemetery.

Eugene Krute

2nd Lieutenant Eugene Krute grew up on Root Road in North Ridgeville. He enlisted in the National Guard in October 1940. He was killed in action in January 1945 in Yangkai, China, when the B25 bomber, on which he served on as a bombardier, crashed into a mountain during overcast conditions, killing all six crew members aboard. Initially listed as missing, the crew was later found by the French and buried locally until repatriated. In January 1949, Lt. Krute was laid to rest at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. *More information about Eugene is available in the Historical Society archives.

Daniel Kuchenrither

Daniel Kuchenrither grew up on Sugar Ridge Road here in North Ridgeville. After high school, he attended Ohio University and entered the Army at age 20 during WWII. He served in the 30th Infantry Division and led a platoon as a Second Lieutenant. He played a key role in eliminating an enemy machine gun position by advancing through an intersecting street while another squad distracted the enemy.

"While the attention of the German gunners was fastened on the daring advance of Sgt. Pendleton's squad, my platoon was able to approach the main position by way of an intersecting street. We were able to liquidate this emplacement in an assault with hand grenades. Meanwhile, Sgt. Pendleton's squad was joined by another and while the protecting machine gun was firing on Sgt. Pendleton, these men were able to work up into position to destroy the weapon."

For his bravery, he was awarded the Silver Star for Conspicuous Gallantry in Action. First Lieutenant Kuchenrither was killed in Holland on November 20, 1944. Note: He is memorialized on the WWII stone at the Old Town Hall under the incorrect name "Donald Kuchenrither."

Robert Line

Robert Line immigrated to the United States from Canada at age four and grew up on Maddock Road. A good student and athlete, he graduated with the Class of 1939 and attended Ohio University for three years. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in November 1942, attending the Army Specialized Training Program at Texas Tech before transferring to the 397th Infantry, 100th Division. He was sent overseas in October 1944. On November 15, 1944, during fierce fighting in the Raon L'Etape area of France, Sgt. Line, a machine gun section leader, noticed an exposed enemy flank. Despite heavy crossfire, he bravely left cover to attack, killing four enemy soldiers, wounding many, and causing confusion among their ranks. He was killed by an enemy mortar shell burst shortly afterward. His courageous one-man assault enabled his unit to break the German lines. S/Sgt. Line was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action.

Sidney Muhar

Sidney Muhar graduated in 1933 from Ridgeville High School and worked as a glazier for Lorain Glass. He later moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he attended the University of Arizona and obtained his pilot’s license. In 1940, Sidney was recruited by the Royal Air Force to replace pilots lost in the Battle of Britain. Although the U.S. had not yet entered the war, he was eager to serve. In November 1941, he was shot down over Libya by Luftwaffe fighters commanded by German Field Marshal Rommel. He died a month later in a hospital in Cairo and is buried in the British Cemetery there. Sidney Muhar became Ohio’s first WWII casualty, even before the U.S. officially entered the war. His younger brother William later joined the war effort and, sadly, also became a casualty. *More about Sidney is available in the Historical Society archives.

William Muhar

S/Sgt. William Muhar worked at General Industries in Elyria before enlisting in December of 1941. He became part of the 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. In July of 1944 he died in a hospital due to injuries received from a shell blast. He is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-Sur-Mer, France. He was awarded the Purple Heart. His older brother Sidney, listed above, was the first war casualty the Muhar family had to endure. Both boys are now memorialized here in their hometown. More about William is available in the Historical Society archives.

Howard Petersen

Pvt. Howard Petersen spent his youth here in North Ridgeville, later moving with his mother to Pickerington, Ohio following the early death of his father. From there he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, Columbus in July of 1941. He became part of the 714th Tank Battalion of the 12th Armored Division. In October of 1944 his group landed in Liverpool England, and they arrived in France in November of that same year. His outfit, nicknamed "The Hell Cats", first hit combat in December of 1944, near the Maginot Line in France. Near the end of December the first men of his outfit were lost. According to eyewitness George G. Moss, we have an account of what happened:

"Col. Phelen's crew, which had been Capt. Harrington's crew, consisted of Robert York of Palestine, Illinois as a driver, gunner, Irwin Godwin of North Carolina. Howard Petersen of Pickerington, Ohio was rapped by an indirect shell while they were outside of their tank. It killed Godwin and Petersen instantly and seriously wounded York, to the extent that he was shipped stateside (zone of interior) immediately. This was December 21st, 1944, and A/714 did not realize that this event took place until after we had worked with C/56 to liberate Uttwiller."

News of Pvt. Petersen’s death reached his mother first and then his young wife, Edna, who was living in North Ridgeville with their four-month-old son, Thomas. For years the sacrifice of Pvt. Petersen went unrecognized - not here in his hometown or in the Pickerington area. His son brought this error to light and in 2023 his name was added to the World War II names on the War Monument at the Old Town Hall. More about Howard is available in the Historical Society archives.

George Ralich

Pvt. George Ralich was born in Lorain in 1920, married North Ridgeville resident Ethel Wiley and the couple took up residence in North Ridgeville. At some point he joined the military and his life came to a tragic end while serving in Nebraska. He was one of 13 soldiers killed in the explosion of a C-47 transport plane at Alliance Army Base. Eight of the men were from Ohio. Exact details of the accident are not known, however the plane was flying in strong storms and it is believed the plane was either struck by lightning or the pilot became disoriented in heavy fog. For many years we had no photo of this soldier, and it was just recently we were able to find a relative who shared his photo with us. *More information about George is available in the Historical Society archives.

Chad Smith

Pvt. Chad Smith was a part of the 393rd Infantry in WWII. In March of 1945 he was part of Operation Lumberjack — an operation with the goal of capturing the West Bank of the Rhine River and seizing German cities. The U.S. Army launched this effort to give the Allies a foothold in the area, towards what would become the end of the war. One of the outcomes of Operation Lumberjack was the taking of the Ludendorff Bridge — a railroad bridge over the Rhine. The Allies were able to use the bridge for ten days — despite heavy aircraft bombing, direct artillery hits, and demolition attempts. Repair work was being done continually and on March 17th the bridge finally collapsed — killing 28 GIs including Pvt. Smith.

James Smith

PFC James Smith lived on Main St. and was drafted in March of 1966. He was part of the 1st Battalion, 25th Infantry and was sent to Vietnam in August of the same year as part of the Medical Corps. Just 29 days later he was killed in action — at the age of 20. He had been married just four months earlier. He is buried at Ridgehill Memorial Park in Amherst. *More information about James is available in the Historical Society archives.

Raymond Harry Stark

Raymond Stark was born in 1922 and spent his youth in Westlake (Dover) — living just over the border from Ridgeville. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November of 1943 and his ship was mustered in 1944. He served as a Fireman, 1st Class aboard the USS Wyoming, which was a training ship in the Chesapeake Bay Area. The Wyoming was nicknamed the "Chesapeake Raider" as it trained anti-aircraft gunners throughout the war on various types of weapons. The ship had the distinction of firing the most ammunition of any other ship in the fleet during the war. We aren't sure of the details, but Harry Stark died at Holzer Hospital in Gallipolis, Ohio, following an accident aboard ship. He was 22 years old. He is buried at St. Peter Cemetery and is memorialized here in his hometown.

Richard H. Winter

Richard Harold Winter lived on Maddock Road and served in the U.S. Navy as a Machinist Mate, 2nd Class. His ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean near England. He is listed as MIA and was declared dead February 7, 1943. MM 2nd Class Winter is memorialized in the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridge, England, in the Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio, and here in his hometown.

Robert Vincent Young

Robert V. Young grew up in Lakewood and, upon graduation from high school, moved with his family to Root Road here in town. His older brother, Horace, was already serving in the U.S. Navy and Bob enlisted in the Army in 1942. He was sent to Camp Perry and became part of the 707th Tank Battalion, A company. His group was sent overseas in January of 1944, where he spent some time in England before moving to the battle front. His unit saw heavy fighting as part of the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in Germany, and Bob was declared missing in action in November of 1944 following heavy fighting. He left behind his young wife and a five-month-old son, Dennis, whom he never met. He is memorialized in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, in the American War Cemetery on the Tablets of the Missing. *More information about Bob is available in the Historical Society archives.