The Dearborn County Register
PAGE 4
COMMUNITY
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THURSDAY, SEPT. 27, 2018
Home of the brave
Vets with heart will be honored during Fall Fest Three Purple Heart recipients and one World War II veteran will given special recognition at 8:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, on the main stage during Fall Fest in Downtown Lawrenceburg before the Dwight Yoakam concert.
Benjamin C. Houze Jr. Ben Houze Jr. was born in Aurora on April 25, 1949, to Ben Sr. and Betty (Donley) Houze. He grew up on Johnson Street in Aurora and attended the old Southside Grade School. Ben had three brothers, David Allen, Gary Wayne and Steve along with two sisters, Pamela and Brenda. Ben moved from Aurora to Northern Kentucky after finishing eighth grade, and attended Holmes High School where he was a member of the Class of 1966. He entered the United States Marine Corps on July 11, 1966 and started Boot Camp at San Diego. He then was sent to Camp Pendleton, and after training was sent to Vietnam where he served two tours of duty. While at An Hoa Combat Base in Quang Nam Province, Ben was wounded during a fierce battle with the North Vietnamese Army. He suffered shrapnel wounds from an enemy grenade on Aug. 19, 1969 while serving with Battery E, Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines, when a sapper platoon supported by mortars, rockets, small arms and automatic weapons fire, attacked the base. Ben refused medical treatment and continued to battle the enemy, and kept securing more ammunition for his fellow Marines. When another Marine was wounded, Ben ran through a hail of enemy fire to return him to safety. For these actions, Ben was awarded the Silver Star. Lance Corporal Houze had lived up to the tradition of being a United States Marine.
In addition to the Silver Star and Purple Heart, Ben was awarded the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation and Expert Rifleman Badge. He was discharged on August 25, 1970, at Camp Lejeune. Ben worked at Melvin Liquid for over 20 years. Ben has four children: Shona, Sheila, Gary and Brian, along with six grandchildren: Ethan, Luke, Skylar, Mason, Jessica and Jacob, and one great grandchild, Aiden. He resides in Newtonsville, Ohio. Ben was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame in 2017 and was presented with the Ohio Medal of Valor and certificates honoring him as an American Hero. Ben was presented with a Life Membership in the Southeastern Indiana Lary D. Fogle Chapter 71 of the Vietnam Veterans of America and one of their green jackets worn by chapter members. Ben served four years, two months and seven days on active duty, and proved himself as a combat wounded Marine. He is proud of his service to our great nation and supports those serving today.
Kenneth D. Nelson Ken Nelson was born in Cincinnati on Jan. 27, 1945, to Ray and Phyllis Nelson. He grew up with his brother, Timothy, and four sisters, Frankye, Linda, Doris and Becky. He graduated from Hamilton Catholic High School in 1963, and then attended Eastern Kentucky University where he graduated in 1967. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and entered the United States Army on Jan. 31, 1968 and served until Jan. 30, 1968. He was sent to Vietnam where he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Tay Ninh during 1968-69. He was a platoon leader with the 4/23rd Mechanized Infantry, and was wounded by shrapnel from enemy fire on June 27, 1968. He was awarded a Purple Heart. He saw heavy action during his time in Vietnam and was awarded several medals. Some of them are National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, the Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class, Meritorious Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation,
Expert Badge for rifle and pistol, Parachute Badge and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Ken was also awarded the Silver Star, our nation’s third highest award for gallantry in action with one oak leaf cluster that denotes a second award of this prestigious and highly coveted award. Ken and his wife, Connie, have been married for 38 years and live in Moores Hill. They have six children: boys, Kristopher, Tom, Bobby and Andy. Daughters: Krista and Amanda. There are 14 grandchildren. Ken worked as the Economic Development Director in Fairfield, and then became a private contractor. Ken, a true American hero, is proud of his service to our nation.
Ken Nelson, far right, receives one of his many awards in Vietnam.
Jordan R. Bondurant Jordan R. Bondurant was born in Lawrenceburg on June 6, 1996, and raised by his mother, Janelle Bondurant. He is the youngest of three children. Older brother, Brett, is an Army war hero, injured in Afghanistan and who received the Purple Heart. He also has a sister, Lindsee. Jordan graduated from South Dearborn High School in 2014, and entered the U.S. Army
that year. He took basic training at Ft. Benning, Ga., and then was sent to Ft. Hood, Texas, for AIT. Jordan was a member of the Third Cavalry Regiment. He was then deployed to Afghanistan and assigned to Helmand Province, located between the Helmand and Arghandab rivers. Population of the area is 200,000.
He was wounded in action by enemy combatants on Oct. 29, 2016, at Lashkar Gah which is also called Bost, in Southern Afghanistan. Jordan was a Specialist or Sp/4, and was medically retired from the U.S. Army on Oct. 10, 2017. Jordan’s grandpa, Jerry Bondurant, was a member of the 101st Airborne, the Screamin’
George E. Klopp Sr. George E. Klopp Sr. was born on April 13, 1926, in Lawrenceburg, to Herman and Frances Klopp. George attended St. Lawrence Grade School, and was in the LCHS Class of 1944. He attends St. Lawrence Church in Lawrenceburg. George entered the United States Navy in 1944, and took his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Facility. He served in the South Pacific for 22 months where he received the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and American Defense Medal. He was discharged as a 3rd Class Petty Officer Electrician’s Mate. George married his wife, Patsy, in 1949. They had one son, George E. Jr. and have two grandchildren, George D. and Allison. He has two great grandchildren, Corbin and Morgan. He had three brothers: Ray; Gene, who was a World War II Veteran and Carl, who was also a WW II Veteran and Korean War Veteran. George has been an active member of American Legion Post No. 239 for over 70 years and a faithful member of the Color Guard for over 50 years until he was unable to continue. In 2009, George went on an Honor Flight from Southeastern Indiana. He was one of the four wreath presenters, along with Dick Horn, Buddy Foster and Clyde Myers, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At age 92, George still is an active walker and can be seen walking around Greendale and in area 5K races. George retired from Thatcher Glass after more than 30 years. He has dedicated his life to his family and to fellow veterans, especially with his Color Guard duties to help pay that final respect to a deceased veteran. He found it rewarding to help with the firing of the three volleys, presenting the American Flag to the family and the playing of TAPS. He is proud of his service to our nation as well as the service of his brothers.
Eagles, during the Vietnam War. Great Grandpa, Charles W. Bondurant, was a World War II Navy Veteran. Jordan loves to hunt and fish and spend time with his four nieces. The family has an outstanding history of being American Patriots. Jordan was proud to carry on this family tradition and also is proud of his service to our nation.