Leland Whitney Veteran of D Company, Marion, Ohio.
Leland L. Whitney enlisted with D Company on 12 June 1917. He served during World War One in Europe and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant while in Europe. He would later be very active in the Rainbow Division Veterans Association (RDVA). He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. More can be found on him in the article below.
Grave of Leland L. Whitney, Arlington National Cemetery, VA
From the book; In Search of Rainbow Memorials by Lise M. Pommois with Charles Fowler
Leland Whitney came from Marion, OH. He started as a private in Company D, 166th Infantry and served until October 5, 1918, when he was transferred to Army Candidates School at Langres, France. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant. After the war he served as a first lieutenant in Ohio National Guard. He completed undergraduate and legal education at Western Reserve University in Cleveland (Phi Beta Kappa). He practiced in Cleveland and was prominent in Veteran’s affairs. He was the Judge-Advocate for the RDVA*.
He became the 18th President of the RDVA in 1936. He was one of the most active Rainbow Association leaders. During his term, in 1937, he attended Memorial Day at Aisne-Marne cemetery and had honor of presenting a Rainbow Certificate to General Gouraud during a very official dinner in Paris for the military with General Patain, the hero of WWI, in attendance.
From: GENERAL HISTORIES Aviation in the U.S. Army, 1919-1939 Maurer Maurer United States Air Force Historical Research Center
THE FLYING GAME
Each field had its own idea of how to run a circus. A show at Kelly Field on evening cf April 12, 1919, depicted “War Swept France” and “the horrors of war, as carried out by the Huns.” The scene was a city attacked by the Germans. After artillery shelling and bombing from airplanes, the Germans entered, looting and burning homes, capturing and killing people. Suddenly, a squadron of American planes swept across the sky and engaged the German planes. As American flyers won the battle in the air, American infantry went over the top and drove out the Huns. Here, the ads said, was “a rare opportunity for the general public to see a wonderful show. “The Air Service grasped every chance for display and publicity. When Theodore Roosevelt died in January 1919, Lt. Col. Millard F. Harmon, Jr., Commander at Hazelhurst Field on Long Island, sent planes to patrol and drop wreaths over the ex-President’s home. When President Woodrow Wilson returned to Washington from the Paris Peace Conference at the end of February, Capt. Roy Francis flew his new Martin bomber low over the parade route, taking motion pictures as he went. On that occasion, Bolling Field contributed a variety of other planes to the “air parade,” which had become “an essential part of any self-respecting celebration.” The 29th Balloon Company came from Aberdeen Proving Ground with a balloon to tow in the parade, but the balloon floated off with 1st Lt. G. H. McMillan and a cameraman in the basket. An aeronautical exposition sponsored by the Manufacturers Aircraft Association in New York during the first half of March 1919 afforded good exposure to the Air Service as well as to the aviation industry. The Air Service displayed planes and equipment. Aerial traffic to New York was “fairly heavy” on Friday, March 14, Air Service Day. Among those flying from Washington for the event were Assistant Secretary of War Benedict Crowell, Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher, Maj. Gen. William L. Kenly, Brig.Gen. William Mitchell, and Senator Key Pittman of Nevada. Captain Francis kept busy taking newsmen up in his Martin bomber. The newsmen were fortunate. Many people would have liked a ride with an Air Service pilot, but joy rides for civilians were prohibited. Pilots could take any member or employee of the Air Service, or any officer or enlisted man of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps as a passenger. If the President, the Chief Justice, or a member of Congress wanted to go, a pilot could take him. Anyone else needed permission of the Secretary of War. “No exceptions,” General Kenly said. With businessmen, actors, movie stars, and other celebrities contributing their services to the U.S. Government’s Victory Loan campaign in 1919, the Air Service helped by putting on what it called the “greatest flying program the United States has yet witnessed.” It organized a Victory Loan Flying Circus of three flights under the command of Maj. Ora M. Baldinger. Each flight consisted of about 22 officers, 50 enlisted men, 18 airplanes (5 Fokkers captured from the Germans, 4 SPADs, 4 SE-5s, and 5 Curtiss-Hs), and a train of 9 baggage cars, 3 sleepers, and a diner, Maj. Henry J. F. Miller commanded the eastern flight, based at Hazelhurst Field; Maj. George E. Stratemeyer the middle western, at Ellington Field; and Major Spatz the far western, at Rockwell Field. On the 30-day tour commencing April 10. 1919, the 3 circuses covered more than 19,000 miles in one-night stands, playing in 88 cities in 45 states. They also put on sideshows at nearby cities off the scheduled route. The performance, which ordinarily began at about 1330, featured exhibition flying, acrobatics, and a sham battle in which Fokkers attacked Curtiss planes which were rescued by SPADs and SE-5s. There were Victory Loan speeches, and the city was attacked with pasteboard bombs containing Victory Loan leaflets. The rule against joyrides being relaxed, persons at each place who subscribed the largest amounts to the loan got free rides in Air Service planes.
Meanwhile, Maj. Ora M. Baldinger led a flight of nine Curtiss planes on a path finding expedition across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin into Minneapolis. This group collected data on aerial routes and landing fields, encouraged cities and towns to build flying fields to government specifications, inspected proposed sites, and made recommendations for improving and maintaining them. During the two-month survey, the “All-American Pathfinders,” as the group was called, found keen interest and enthusiasm everywhere.”
Ora Mathias Baldinger was born in Marion, Ohio, on 6 October 1883. He was the son of Mathias O. Baldinger. Ora Mathias Baldinger was a newsboy with the Marion Daily Star, at the age of 5-years-old. Florence Kling Harding, working as the Marion Star’s circulation manager, had taken notice of young Baldinger. She would come to call him “Reddy”, due to his head of red hair. She would make him one of her assistants in the circulation department. As Mrs. Harding observed the brightness and responsibility of Baldinger, she would give him the responsibility of building the Star’s delivery route.
Ora M. Baldinger later would try to attain an appointment with the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. Representative James A. Norton did not see Baldinger as fit for the appointment. This led Baldinger to pursue starting a business in selling newspapers and other periodicals.
Later when Warren G. Harding was elected to the Ohio Legislature, he had Baldinger appointed as a page in the State House. When Harding was elected as lieutenant governor he assisted in Baldinger’s appointment as page in the State Senate.
Baldinger at Virginia Military Institute
After his time working in the state government, Baldinger would pursue his interest in the military. He used the money he had saved to get himself through four years at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Ora M. Baldinger entered VMI 14 September 1906, and graduated as First Captain on 4 July 1910, with a class standing of 3rd in a class of 38. He graduated with degrees of B.S . While attending VMI, Baldinger would organize and charter the Alpha Chapter of the Sigma Nu fraternity. Baldinger would elect to stay another year at VMI to earn his C.E degree. It was during this year that he would become “Preserver of the Rock.” He would also secure an Honor Appointment to West Point from then Senator Warren G. Harding. Instead of attending the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, Baldinger would accept the commission of second lieutenant in the United States Army.
On 13 March 1913, he was ordered to the Seventeenth Infantry, Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Georgia.
On 25 May 1913, Lt. Baldinger reported to the 26th U.S. Infantry in Texas City, Texas. He saw service in Texas during the Border campaign under General Frederick Funston. Lt. Baldinger would be in command of K Company. Here for over two years, he would be on border patrol and train national guardsmen who were transferred to the 26th Infantry.
On 26 May 1916, Lt. Baldinger was assigned to the 25th Infantry, at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii. Here he would serve as a machine gun instructor. At the beginning of World War I he would be assigned as Assistant Adjutant, C.O. of 28th Recruit Co., Fort McDowell, Angel Island, California to handle the first drafted troops to be moved from the west coast.
(L to R) Lt. Col. Richard B. Barnitz, Major Ora M Baldinger and Major King at Fort Sill, Oklahoma circa 1919. Photo courtesy of Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum
Ora Baldinger would receive his first promotion and become a First Lieutenant, on 1 July 1916, then see promotion to Captain 15 May 1917, and then Major in 4 June 1918. In June of 1918, Major Baldinger would be assigned to the Signal Corps and work in the aviation section. He would be a pilot and oversee the training of observers. Baldinger was assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was in command of the observation school.
On 13 March 1919, Major Baldinger received orders to report to Washington were he was in command of aerial pathfinders. Baldinger would also see an assignment to the supply section in which he would oversee salvage of military surplus property and be assistant sales director for the war department. Here he would be officer in charge of all “Liberty Loans” flights. He was in command of the All-American Pathfinders Squadron from 13 August 1919, until the unit was demobilized on 25 October 1919. Baldinger would fly the Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny” airplane. He even made a trip back to VMI during finals to encourage the cadets.
On 28 October 1919, after the All-American Pathfinders Squadron was demobilized, Baldinger would take assignment to Taylor Airfield, Montgomery, Alabama. Here he was in command of the Air Field.
In June of 1921, Major Ora M. Baldinger would be detailed as assistant to officer in charge of public buildings and grounds and as junior aid to the President Warren G. Harding. Here he worked closely with First Lady Florence Kling Harding.
After Harding’s death the young man shouldered the task of helping to destroy the papers of his late commander in chief. In the months ahead Mrs. Harding was to entrust assignments to “Reddy” Baldinger that she would give to no other.
From: How Some Were Burned by Kenneth W. Duckett American Heritage Magazine February 1965, Volume 16, Issue 2
White House police force new officers. Lt to Rt. O. Baldinger, First Sgt. C.L. Da[???], Sgt. W.W. Easley, and Sgt. A.L. Walter
After Harding’s death he would also work as military aide to President Calvin Coolidge. Baldinger would serve as military aide to the President and as Chief of the White House Police.
Ora M. Baldinger would attain the rank of Colonel. Baldinger served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War I and World War II. Baldinger first retired in 1938, until he was called back into service during World War II. He served until he retired from the Army in 1946. He also held the honor of being the first commanding officer of Lockbourne Army Air Base, Columbus Ohio. Lockbourne was an Army Air Base prior to the creation of the United States Air Force. Lockbourne Army Air Base would later become Rickenbacker Air Force Base and currently is the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. Colonel Ora M. Baldinger retired from the U.S. Army in 1955. Baldinger remained a bachelor throughout his military career. Then 6 March 1954, he married Elizabeth (Betsy) Durand. Colonel Baldinger died in Carson City, Nevada, on 2 June 1979, at the age of 96.
Pfc. Kenneth David Thompson, recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, was killed in the Quang Tri Provence of Vietnam on 11 April 1968, while serving with A Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division “First Team.”
Pfc. Kenneth D. Thompson is buried in Chapel Heights Memory Gardens. Pfc. Thompson’s names is listed on the Vietnam Honor Roll, at the Marion Veterans Memorial Park, on the west side of the Marion County Courthouse and is listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall, Panel 49E/026.
Pfc. Kenneth D. Thompson is also remembered on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, at the Marion County Admin building at 222 West Center St. in Marion, Ohio.
From The Marion Star dated 4-17-1968
5th County Victim Kenneth Thompson Is Killed in Vietnam
Death came to Pfc. Kenneth David Thompson, 20, of Marion Thursday, only three weeks after his arrival in Vietnam. He was the fifth Marion County victim of Viet fighting.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett K. Thompson of 1031 VanAtta Ave. was a member of Co A, 1st Bn., 1st Calvary Div. He entered service July 6, last year.
His parents learned Tuesday night he had been killed. The word was brought after another son, James W., had arrived home from a 7-month Vietnam tour of duty with the Marines. He is here awaiting notification of further assignment.
The family came to Marion in 1965 from Sandusky where Kenneth had attended high school. Before entering service, he had been employed by Tecumseh Products Co., then Sims Bros.
Born Nov. 2, 1947, he was a native of Ironton.
Survivors besides the parents and brother on leave are three other brothers, Donald R., Gerald W., and Roger D., and four sisters, Mrs. Janis Lee Furniss, Kathy D., Dorthy F. and Lorrie A., all at home.
Denzer Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
After Harding’s death the young man shouldered the task of helping to destroy the papers of his late commander in chief. In the months ahead Mrs. Harding was to entrust assignments to “Reddy” Baldinger that she would give to no other. 
Ora M. Baldinger would attain the rank of Colonel. Baldinger served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War I and World War II. Baldinger first retired in 1938, until he was called back into service during World War II. He served until he retired from the Army in 1946. He also held the honor of being the first commanding officer of Lockbourne Army Air Base, Columbus Ohio. Lockbourne was an Army Air Base prior to the creation of the United States Air Force. Lockbourne Army Air Base would later become Rickenbacker Air Force Base and currently is the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. Colonel Ora M. Baldinger retired from the U.S. Army in 1955. Baldinger remained a bachelor throughout his military career. Then 6 March 1954, he married Elizabeth (Betsy) Durand. Colonel Baldinger died in Carson City, Nevada, on 2 June 1979, at the age of 96.
Death came to Pfc. Kenneth David Thompson, 20, of Marion Thursday, only three weeks after his arrival in Vietnam. He was the fifth Marion County victim of Viet fighting.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 