Pride And Honor
With pride, the Dayton area has been home to 40 recipients of the Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest and most prestigious decoration awarded to service members who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor and putting their lives at risk. We promised we would never forget them.
What better and more lasting tribute than to erect a monument in their honor. Our esteemed Medal of Honor recipients, many of whom lost their lives in combat, went above and beyond the call of duty and deserve to be honored in perpetuity for their sacrifice and valiant deeds. For that, we are forever grateful.
Wright Dunbar, Inc. intends to build a Medal of Honor Memorial that would commemorate our region’s current Medal of Honor recipients of the award, as well as those to come.
The Memorial would be the centerpiece of a park that is also the site of four WWI memorials and two Gold Star Mothers memorials. The park is located at the northeast corner of the Third Street Bridge, a part of the gateway to the Wright Dunbar Historic District and its Walk of Fame. The park has been renamed to the Honor Park in gratitude to all past veterans and the more than 111,000 veterans currently residing in the Dayton Region.
Make Your Donation Today
Click to donate to our fund, hosted by our partner The Dayton Foundation. Our campain name is: Medal of Honor Campaign Fund #2231.
Medal Of Honor Profiles Of Sacrifice
Airman First Class William (Bill) H. Pitsenbarger of Piqua was the most recent Dayton-area recipient of the Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously to him on December 8, 2000. Pitsenbarger graduated from Piqua Central High School in 1962 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1963. In his first eight months in Vietnam, Bill went on 250 rescue missions, most conducted under fire from enemy forces. During his last mission in April 1966, while under heavy enemy fire, Bill descended 100 feet from a helicopter to rescue the soldiers under attack. As the battle raged on, he refused to leave as he helped wounded soldiers and distributed ammunition until he was mortally wounded in combat.
Army Specialist Four Joseph Guy LaPointe Jr. sacrificed his life while attempting to save the lives of fellow soldiers. LaPointe was a 1966 graduate of Northridge High School and was called to serve in the Vietnam War in 1968 and trained to become a combat medic who would treat and defend soldiers wounded in battle. In June 1969, LaPointe’s unit came under fire. During the initial assault, two men in LaPointe’s unit were seriously wounded. They called for aid and LaPointe crawled through an area of heavy fire to reach them, within full view of an enemy bunker. LaPointe shielded the wounded men with his body and began to administer first aid. After being struck twice, he managed to crawl back to the wounded men and shield them from incoming fire.
Corporal Anthony (Tony) Michael Stein served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Stein joined the ParaMarines and was deployed to the Pacific Theater where he became an expert sniper. In February 1945, Stein’s Marine Division was the first to land on Iwo Jima when it was attacked. Stein located the enemy by standing up in plain view, receiving fire, and would then carry his modified machine gun (called the Stinger) to launch assaults on enemy positions. The day Stein earned the Medal of Honor he ran back to the beach to reload his Stinger eight times, each time carrying a wounded man or helping one to an aid station. Described as a “one man wrecking crew,” Stein was killed in combat on March 1, 1945, on Iwo Jima.
Be A Part Of Honoring These Heros
We need your help to raise $1.5 million to build the Medal of Honor Memorial at the Honor Park in tribute to our region’s Medal of Honor recipients for their unparalleled bravery and self-sacrifice. Honor Park would also be an expression of appreciation for the more than 111,000 veterans living in the Dayton Region.
Your Investment In The Medal Of Honor Memorial Will:
Expand the awareness of people in the Dayton Region of the centuries of sacrifice and courage that have shaped our community.
Remind us of the dedication and strength required by our military and the country to safeguard our country and our democracy.
Demonstrate appreciation and respect for all Dayton Region Medal of Honor recipients.
Spark increased visitation to the Wright Dunbar Historic District and promote its revitalization efforts.
Provide an interactive / educational experience that will allow visitors to learn more about the Medal of Honor and its recipients.
Bring citizens together to create a forum for discussion regarding veterans and their needs.
Who We Are
Wright Dunbar, Inc. (WDI) is a nonprofit organization that serves as a catalyst and facilitator of economic revitalization and urban reinvestment in the historic, culturally rich Wright Dunbar Business District on the western edge of downtown Dayton. It is the only organization dedicated solely to a comprehensive approach to economic revitalization in the district.
Since its inception in 2000, Wright Dunbar has restored historic buildings that were in disrepair, added numerous businesses. Charles Simms Development is building 26 new townhouses in the District. San Marco Development is substantially renovating a building for multi-purpose use. Additionally, more than 200 Dayton notables, including two honorees who were recipients of the Medal of Honor, are recognized on the Dayton Region Walk of Fame.
The Medal of Honor and Honor Park project was initiated by WDI and is a volunteer effort by community leaders.
Medal Of Honor/Honor Park Campaign Leaders
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Mohamed Al-Hamdani
Cassie Barlow
Amanda Wright Lane
Chris Kershner
Mayor Jeffrey Mims
Judge Walter Rice
CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
Brandon McClain
Bryan Suddith
FUNDRAISING CABINET AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
Kim Frisco
John Gower, ad hoc
Karla Garrett Harshaw
Dan Kirkpatrick
Cindy LaPointe-Dafler
Sue McGatha
Merle Wilberding
Donors And Funds Raised So Far
At this point, $1.3 million of the $1.5 million Legacy of Honor campaign have been raised. Of the goal, $300,000 will be invested by The Dayton Foundation for long-term maintenance of the park that will be maintained by Wright Dunbar, Inc. with assistance from the City of Dayton.
Funds Raised
86%
Donate To The Legacy Of Honor Memorial Project Today
At this point, $1.3 million of the $1.5 million Legacy of Honor campaign have been raised. Of the goal, $300,000 will be invested by The Dayton Foundation for long-term maintenance of the park that will be maintained by Wright Dunbar, Inc. with assistance from the City of Dayton.