Staff Sergeant Clinton George Pennington Vietnam Veteran

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Clinton George Pennington, son of George F. Pennington and Ortensa (Kay) Zimmerman Pennington. Clinton G. Pennington had received his father’s posthumous Distinguished Service Cross when he was only two years old. Staff Sergeant Clinton G. Pennington served with 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division while serving a 1 year tour in Vietnam. Clinton G. Pennington attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal as well as various other awards while serving his country. Staff Sergeant Clinton G. Pennington served nine years in the army from 1961 until 1970.

Obituary:
Clinton George Pennington, age 72, changed his church membership from the church militant to the church triumphant on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Clint was a proud veteran of the US Army. Serving for nine years, 1961 to 1970, including 1 year in Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion 14th Infantry 25th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Pennington was honorably discharged in July 1970. He is a recipient of the Army Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart and various other awards and commendations. He retired in 1992 from the US Postal Service as Manager of Information Services. He then worked for AEP as a Computer Analyst and retired from there in January 2004. He then worked a couple part time jobs including 3 years at Wasserstrom in their Information Services Department. Clint was a member of the earthly congregation of Beautiful Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS). He loved being fed the word of God there and loved his earthly church family dearly. He gladly worked with the church school thru the IS Committee. Clint is preceded in death by his father, George F. Pennington during WWII at the Battle of the Bulge. His mother, Kay Pennington, went to her eternal home in September 2002. He is survived by his soul mate and loving wife, G. Irene of 34 years; his son, George F. Pennington II and daughter, Beth Ann Pennington; step son, Matthew D. Dillon; seven grandchildren, Nathan, Hailey, Hannah, Cory, Kayla, Marshall and Jesse. Also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law; many of whom have stepped up and helped us get through this difficult time. Clint tried to live his life so people could see Jesus’ love through him. He took responsibility for his failures but gave the credit for his successes to the forgiving God that he served faithfully. One of his ministries for the last 21 years was to pass out scripture coins so those that came in contact with him received the word of God. There is a question and answer that have eternal consequence: Question: Acts 16:30b (NIV) 30b “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Answer: Acts 16:31b (NIV) 31b “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Just something for you to ponder. The family wants to thank the folks at Ohio Health Hospice for all their compassion and the excellent care they provided to both Clint and our family. A special thanks to nurse Margo. Clint absolutely loved her. A memorial service will be held at the Beautiful Savior Evangelical Church, 2213 White Rd., Grove City, OH 43123 at 2pm on Sunday, March 22, 2015. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to OhioHealth Foundation (OhioHealth Hospice), 180 E. Broad St., FL 32, Columbus, OH 43215-9480 or Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. To leave a special message for the family, visit http://www.NewcomerColumbus.com.

George F. Pennington Dies During Heroic Action at the Battle of the Bulge.

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George F. Pennington Photo Courtesy of the Marion County Historical Society.

George Franklin Pennington was born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1918. His parents are William C. & Ethel M. Pennington. George F. Pennington was a graduate of Harding High School Class of 1941. Pennington worked for a time at the Erie railroad. Pennington enlisted in the Army on 3 July 1941. On 8 December 1941, he married Kay Zimmerman of Toledo, Ohio. He received his commission as an infantry officer at Fort Benning, Ga., in April of 1944. He then went overseas and was serving with the Third Army. He was serving with Company E, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, the “Yankee Division”, near Notham, Luxembourg, when he was killed in action. He died while heroically serving on 28 December 1944.

Lt. George F. Pennington was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his actions at the Battle of the Bulge.

pennington0032nd Lt. George F. Pennington is buried at Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial
Hamm, Canton de Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

At one time the United States Army Reserve Center, in Marion, Ohio, was named in honor of Lt. George F. Pennington. The reserve center building is no longer used by the reserves. When it was closed, Clinton G. Pennington, Lt. Pennington’s son, loaned to Heritage Hall the DSC Medal and plaque that were displayed at the reserve center.

George F. Pennington is remembered on the Honor Roll, at Marion Veterans Memorial Park; and on the World War II Memorial Wall at the Marion Cemetery, and the Honor Roll on the west side of the Marion County Courthouse.

Ortensa “Kay” (Zimmerman) Pennington is buried in Marion, Ohio as well as her parents and sister.

Their son, Clinton G. Pennington also served in the United States Army. Clinton Pennington was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
From The Marion Star dated January 17, 1945

Marion Officer
Dies in Action

First Lt. George F. Pennington, 27, above, was killed in action on the French-German border Dec. 28. He was the husband of Mrs. Kay Pennington of Toledo and son of Mrs. W. C. Pennington of 456 Oak street. He has a son, Clinton, 2. He enlisted in the service July 3, 1941, and went overseas in August last year. He received his commission at Ft. Benning, Ga., last April. Lt. Pennington came to Marion with the family from Newport News, Va., in 1939.

From The Marion Star dated ????

DCS Awarded Marion Army
Officer Is Presented To Son

Clinton George Pennington, two and a half-year old, son of the late Lt. George Pennington and Mrs. Ortensa Pennington of Toledo, is shown above held by his mother, as he was presented the Distinguished Service Cross awarded posthumously to his father. Col. William H. Dunham, Jr., post commander at Camp Perry, made the presentation at the Pennington home Oct 19.
Lt. Pennington enlisted in July 1941 and had been overseas four months when he died of wounds received in action near Notham, Luxembourg, Dec. 28, 1944. He was an infantry officer with the Third Army.
A citation read during the presentation commended his “extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in Luxembourg — when Lt. Pennington gallantly assumed an exposed position in the face of an enemy counterattack consisting of infantrymen and an armored car. He killed three and wounded four of the advancing enemy and although mortally wounded by hostile 20mm fire he courageously picked up a rocket launcher and in the face of direct, intense enemy fire, knocked out the approaching enemy vehicle.”
Lt. Pennington was a graduate of Harding High school and he and Mrs. Pennington lived in Marion before he entered service. His mother, Mrs. Ethel Pennington, lives on Oak street. He was a brother to Dr. William Pennington of Bradford street.

DSC

Citation for Distinguished Service Cross for:

Lt. George F. Pennington

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 168 (July 12, 1945)
CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) George F. Pennington (ASN: 0-1320968), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Luxembourg, on 28 December 1944. On that date, during action near Nothum, Luxembourg, Lieutenant Pennington gallantly assumed an exposed position in the face of an enemy counterattack consisting of infantrymen and an armored car. He killed three and wounded four of the advancing enemy and although mortally wounded by hostile 20-mm. fire he courageously picked up a rocket-launcher and in the face of direct, intense enemy fire knocked out the approaching enemy vehicle. Lieutenant Pennington died as a result of his wound but his gallant actions and supreme devotion to duty live on as an inspiration to the men with whom he fought.

Plaque being dedicated at the Marion Reserve Center, Marion, Ohio. (L-R) Unknown officer; widow, Ortensa “Kay” (Zimmerman) Pennington: and son, Clinton G. Pennington. Photo Courtesy of the Marion County Historical Society.
Plaque once displayed at the George F. Pennington Reserve Center, Marion, Ohio. Photo Courtesy of the Marion County Historical Society.

Dedication ceremony at the Army Reserve Center, located at the North-East corner of Pole Lane Rd. and SR 309. Circa 1961 Photo Courtesy of the Marion County Historical Society.

Sgt. Harold Richard Baughn Killed in Action WWII

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BaughnCrossHarold Richard Baughn was born 30 March 1924. Baughn had attended Edison Junior High School and had also worked at the Erie Railroad, in maintenance prior to entering the military.
Harold Richard Baughn was reported missing in action on 23 June 1944, after being sent overseas in August of 1943. Baughn was born 30 March 1924, in Marion County, Ohio. He was serving with the 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division “Texas Division,” when he was reported missing in action (MIA). Baughn entered service 20 March 1943. He trained at Camp Robinson, Arkansas.
Prior to becoming MIA, Sgt. Harold R. Baughn had been treated in the hospital on three occasions. The first, being admitted in December of 1943 and discharged in January 1944. He had been treated for shrapnel wounds to the spine and foot. The second, was in April of 1944, in which he was treated for an infection of his foot. The last being in June of 1944, when he had fatal wounds. For these he would be recognized with a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Sgt. Harold Richard Baughn was later reported killed in action on 23 June 1944.
Sgt. Harold Richard Baughn is buried in Florence American Cemetery and Memorial
Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy. He is interred in Plot A Row 3 Grave 41.
Sgt. Baughn is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park; on the West Wall of the Marion County Couthouse; and on the World War II Veterans Memorial (in Marion Cemetery) in Marion, Ohio.

HBaughn

Shannon M. Smith – Operation Enduring Freedom Casualty

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SSmithStaff Sergeant Shannon Michael Smith, born 14 April 1978, died 8 September 2009, in Baji, Iraq. Smith was a 1997 graduate of Harding High School. He was a wrestler while at Harding. Smith was serving with the 545th Military Police Company, Arctic Military Police Battalion, Fort Richardson, Alaska. While on patrol in Iraq, the vehicle Smith was in was attacked with an explosive device. Also, killed in the attack were; PFC Thomas F. Lyons and PFC Zachary T. Myers. PFC Myers was also from Ohio.
SSgt. Smith had enlisted in the United States Army in 1997. He had served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia during his enlistment. Smith participated in several missions supporting the Secret Service Tac Team and Sniper Team with the President of the United States. Among his awards were: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq and Kosovo Campaign Medals.
www.IraqWarHeroes.orgSSgt. Shannon M. Smith left behind his wife Cassie and son, Steven. Smith was an avid outdoors-man and a fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes.
Staff Sergeant Shannon M. Smith is buried at Berkshire Cemetery Sunbury, Delaware County, Ohio, and is honored on the Global War on Terrorism Monument, at the Marion Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio and on the west side of the Marion County Courthouse.

More can be read in the following articles.

The Associated Press

Shannon Smith was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes who loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, canoeing, fishing and bowhunting for deer.
But those activities had to be squeezed in when he wasn’t defending his country.
Smith, 31, of Marion, Ohio, joined the Army in 1997 and had served tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia. He died in combat Sept. 8 after the vehicle he was in was bombed in Baji, Iraq. He was assigned to Fort Richardson, Alaska.
Another Ohioan, Zachary T. Myers, also died in the attack. Myers thought highly of Smith, his mother, Tonya J. Latto, told the Columbus Dispatch.
“He talked about Shannon all the time and about what a great a guy he was,” Latto said. “He was a good friend who showed him the ropes.”
Smith was a 1997 graduate of Marion Harding High School, where he excelled in wrestling.
He and his wife, Cassie, liked to spend time sightseeing and photographing Alaska when they could find the time.
Smith also leaves behind a son, Steven.

Army Staff Sgt Smith was assigned to the 545th Military Police Company, Arctic Military Police Battalion, Fort Richardson, Alaska. He died of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an explosive device while on patrol. Shannon was a member of the football, baseball and wrestling teams while attending Marion Harding High School. He excelled in wrestling and was a National Qualifier for the Greco Roman freestyle wrestling team. In 1997 he graduated from high school and joined the Army. As a trained sniper, Shannon conducted several missions supporting the Secret Service Tac Team and Sniper Team with the President of the United States. He had been awarded numerous citations and decorations including: The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq and Kosovo Campaign Medals. Shannon has served in missions in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq – he was deployed to Iraq in May leaving behind his wife, Cassie, and son. Shannon was a natural born leader and constantly challenged his guys as a coach and mentor. He loved training his men and felt it was his duty to get them in top form as their protector. Shannon enjoyed anything associated with the outdoors – fishing, deer hunting with a compound bow, sightseeing, hiking, canoeing and photographing Alaska. He loved cheering for his beloved OSU Buckeyes and had a room designed entirely with Buckeyes memorabilia in his home. Shannon was devoted to his men and job and gave everything he had to every challenge. He was kind hearted, fun loving and a constant jokester. Shannon’s family would want others to know that he did not consider himself to be special or a hero. He always took the worst of any situation and was able to make it better. He knew it was his job to protect his country and did his best every day to see to it that the loved ones he left at home were safe.

Obituary:

SSG Shannon M. Smith, age 31, a humble man, who gave the ultimate sacrifice died Tuesday, September 8, 2009 while serving his country on a military patrol in Baji, Iraq. “Though he didn’t like war, he knew it was his job to protect his country and all it stood for. He did his best every day to see to it that the loved ones he left at home were safe…..Freedom isn’t Free.”

A member of the 545th MP Co, stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, he was deployed to Iraq in May. A trained sniper, he had been awarded numerous citations and decorations including: The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq and Kosovo Campaign Medals.

He entered the Army in 1997 and became a Team Leader of the 178th Military Police Company. He conducted several missions supporting the Secret Service Tac Team and Sniper Team with the President of the United States. He performed as a Team Leader and Counter Sniper in Iraq for the 89th MP, completing over 500 protection missions in a combat environment.

SSG Smith also served as a Special Reactions Team, Protective Services, and High Risk Personnel Course Instructor training hundreds of Officers and other personnel annually. He was proudly selected as the Battle Field Hero for the 545th MP Co at the Nation Training Center at Ft Irwin, CA. As a squad leader he constantly challenged his team, serving as a coach and mentor.

He was born on April 14, 1978 in Columbus to James R. and Debbie R (Coleman) Smith Jr. of Cardington. He was a student of the Big Walnut School system until his freshman year and was a member of the football, baseball and wrestling teams. Shannon graduated from Marion Harding High School in 1997. While at Harding he excelled in wrestling and also was a National Qualifier for the Greco Roman freestyle wrestling team.

Shannon enjoyed fishing and hunting deer with a compound bow. He was happiest guiding others and cheering for his beloved OSU Buckeyes. Always active he loved a challenge. He was one of devotion, a man of integrity, who always gave 110% at every endeavor. Kind hearted as well as fun loving he was the constant jokester, who was genuine to the core.

In addition to his parents he is also survived by his wife: Cassie (McGuire) with whom he treasured spending time with. Together they enjoyed sightseeing, hiking, canoeing, and photographing Alaska.

He will also be missed by son: Steven Michael Abbott, brother: Cory, sister: Kristi Smith, grandparents: JR Smith, Betty Coleman, great-grandmother: Myrtle Smith, parents-in-law: Heidi Worcester, Dan McGuire, numerous friends including: Evan Taylor, Honor Guard Escort CPT Matt McCreary, and his beloved Aussie Alyseka.

Friends may call Wednesday 5-8 p.m. and Thursday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, SR’s 3 at 61, Sunbury. Friends may also call one hour prior to the 1:00 p.m. Friday funeral services at the Genoa Baptist Church, 7562 Lewis Center Rd. at SR 3, Westerville, OH 43082 with his grandfather JR Smith and General David Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Berkshire Cemetery with full military honors and escort provided by the Patriot Guard Riders.

Memorial contributions can be made to Cystic Fibrosis, 740 Lakeview Plaza Blvd, Suite 225, Worthington, OH 43085 or http://www.cff.org.

Condolences may be expressed at http://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com

Marion Mother Shows Compassion for Soldier – 1918

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Read of a Marion Mother, who not only had her own son who was a soldier, but who showed great compassion for an out-of-town stranger. This Marion Mother was Emma L. (Wolford) Taylor, who was married to Joel B. Taylor, MD. Mrs. Taylor was born in 1862 and died 4 January 1951. Emma Taylor is buried in the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio. They were the parents of three children, one being A. Rhu Taylor.

From The Marion Daily Star dated November 29, 1918

UNUSUAL LIFE STORY OF
FRANK WOJCIECHOWSKI

Cleveland Orphan Soldier Who
Had Marion War Mother.

MRS. J.B. TAYLOR READ
OF HIS DEATH IN STAR

Gold Star To Be Placed on the
Trinity Baptist Flag in Honor
of Hero.

A year ago last Tuesday while enroute to Camp Sheridan, Alabama, to visit her son, Rhu, Mrs. J. B. Taylor, of east Center street, made the acquaintance of Frank Wojciechowski, of Cleveland, an orphan Polish lad of twenty who was enroute to the same camp. Mrs. Taylor befriended the boy and became his “war mother.” Wednesday night she was shocked, while reading the Star, to see his name head the list in the casualties of those who had died of wounds.
Only that morning Mrs. Taylor had packed and sent the young man’ Christmas box with homemade candies and cigarettes, she having received a label from him in a letter which came Tuesday. In this last letter, which was written October 10, the young man said he had been in on big drive and that the good God had been with him and he had come through safe. He said that the night he was writing would be the first night he had a chance to sleep for a long time. He also said he expected to go in another drive soon and if he came through safely he would get down on his knees and praise God for His safe keeping.

From German Prisoner.
The paper the letter was written on was taken from a German prisoner. He enclosed a pin from Verdun. The young man expressed a desire that he could soon come to Marion to spend a week with “his dear war mother” as he always called her in his letters.
The young man was brought to America by a cousin when a baby. The day Mrs. Taylor made his acquaintance in the depot in Cincinnati he was enroute to Camp Sheridan, having enlisted a couple of days before in Cleveland. He was with other soldiers and when he came and sat down by Mrs. Taylor she asked him where they were going. The young man answered that six of them were going to Camp Sheridan. Mrs. Taylor told him that she was going there to see her son and in this way a conversation started.
The young man informed her that he had no one dependent on him as he had no parents or other near relatives and that he was going because he could be spared better than one with a family. He said he was twenty years of age and as he talked pitifully she was touched and told him he had too much ahead of him in life to feel so badly. She asked him to let her be a mother to him while the war lasted and immediately he seemed to brace up.

Just Like a Son.
All the way to the camp the young man looked after Mrs. Taylor’s welfare as though he were her own son. He promised her his address and later she met him in the infantry department at the camp and he gave it to her. She sent him a Christmas box and invited him to take New Year’s dinner with her and her son at the Betsy Ross, where she was stopping. He was with them several times and after her return home, Mrs. Taylor received from one to two letters a week from him while he was at Cam Sheridan and has also received six since he sailed for overseas June 11.
Last spring young Wojciechowski wrote Mrs. Taylor that boys who had homes were receiving furloughs and she immediately wrote him to get a furlough and visit her. He gladly accepted the invitation and last spring spent four days in Marion with Dr. and Mrs. Taylor.
As the young man was Mrs. Taylor’s adopted war son and attended services at the Trinity Baptist church while here on a visit, a gold star will be placed in the service flag of the church.