Our community is widely recognized as one that cherishes patriotism and honors its many distinguished military heroes. Residents and guests are encouraged to visit Grove City’s parks, monuments and memorial sites honoring and remembering service members who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in war.

  • Purple Heart Memorial Walk, Henceroth Park, 2075 Mallow Lane
  • Gold Star Families Memorial Park, Broadway and Columbus Street
  • The Eternal Flame Veterans Monument, 4035 Broadway
  • Grove City Honor Roll, American Legion, 3363 McDowell Road
  • Grove City Cemetery Veterans Monument, Grove City Road
  • Revolutionary War Veteran John Hoover’s Grave, Southwest Boulevard and Gantz Road
  • 9/11 Memorial, Jackson Township Fire Station 204, 4900 Buckeye Parkway
  • Memorial Flag Retirement Fire Pit, Concord Chapel Cemetery, London-Groveport and Hoover roads

Download the Memorial Sites map.

Purple Heart cities have a strong commitment to veterans, and our city is proud to recognize and honor the men and women of our community who faithfully served and earned a Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces wounded in action and to the families of those killed in action due to their injuries. It is the nation’s oldest military medal still in use dating back to the days of the American Revolution.

Formerly known as the Badge of Military Merit, it was created by General George Washington in 1782 and used to honor merit among enlisted soldiers. The award was soon forgotten after the Revolution. In 1932, the Purple Heart was revived to recognize George Washington’s principles and to celebrate the bicentennial of his birth. Nearly 2,000,000 Purple Heart medals have been awarded since World War I.

WORLD WAR II

  • Richard J. Clemons, Seaman 1st Class, Navy, Killed at Marathon Key, Florida, April 4, 1944
  • Eugene D. Countryman, Yeoman 3rd Class, Navy, Killed in Action, Southwest Pacific, November 30, 1942
  • Lule Eesley, Technician Fifth Grade, Army, Died in captivity, Battaan Philippines, July 25, 1942
  • Samuel H. Gemienhardt, Jr., Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class, Navy, Buried at Sea, U.S.S. Arizona, December 7, 1941
  • Homer Martin, Private, Army, Killed in Action, Northern Italy, April 15, 1945
  • Orville J. “O.J.” Spellman, Corporal, Army, Killed in Service, Sioux Falls Army Airfield, December 8, 1944
  • Francis D. Swank, Seaman 1st Class, Navy, Killed at Sea, Pearl Harbor, June 11, 1943
  • Ernest M. Trickett, Technical Sergeant, Army Air Forces, Killed in Action, Netherlands, June 22, 1943
  • Gilbert Walker, Sergeant, Army, Killed in Action, Germany, April 16, 1945
  • John Wildman, Staff Sergeant, Army Air Forces, Killed Returning Home, Cheviot Hills, England, June 12, 1945

KOREAN WAR

  • Arnold Penn, Private First Class, Army, died as POW, Sunchon, North Korea, Feb. 28, 1951

VIETNAM

  • Gregory J. Asbeck, Aviation Machinist’s Mate, Petty Officer 3rd Class, Navy, Killed in Service, South Vietnam, March 16, 1970
  • Arnold L. Coonrod, Corporal, Army, Killed in Action, South Vietnam, January 3, 1968
  • Robert L. Grooms, 1st Lieutenant, Army, Killed in Service, South Vietnam, September 12, 1971
  • Richard L. Holycross, Chief Warrant Officer, Marine Corps, Killed in Action, South Vietnam, September 10, 1967
  • Terry E. Webb, Corporal, Army, Killed in Action, South Vietnam, March 13, 1968

MIDDLE EAST

  • Jesse M. Balthaser, Sergeant, Marine Corps, Killed in Action, Afghanistan, September 4, 2010
  • Eric J. Bernholtz, Lance Corporal, Maine Corps, Killed in Action, Iraq, August 3, 2005
  • Shawn T. Hannon, Master Sergeant, Army, Killed in Action, Afghanistan, April 4, 2012
  • Joseph W. Riley, Specialist, Army, Killed in Action, Afghanistan, November 24, 2014
  • Nicholaus E. Zimmer, Private 1st Class, Army, Killed in Action, Iraq, May 30, 2004

HONORARY MEMORIALS AND RECOGNITIONS

  • James F. Albright, Specialist 5, Army, Retired, Vietnam, Inaugural Flags of Honor 2011
  • Joseph A. Capocciama, Sergeant, Army, Retired, May 20, 2012
  • Robert J. Ferris, Killed in World Trade Center, Tower Two, The Only Ohio Victim on September 11, 2001
  • Robert Gregory Sturm, Sergeant, Army, Vietnam, Victim of Agent Orange Exposure, December 6, 2020
  • Hershel “Woody” Williams, Chief Warrant Officer 4, Marine Corps (Ret.), Gold Star Families Memorial Monument 2018
  • Floyd “Blue” Wolford, Specialist 5, Army, Vietnam, Agent Orange, July 11, 2020

While it is estimated two million Purple Heart medals have been awarded since 1932, the Government does not maintain a comprehensive list of recipients. However, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is compiling The Roll of Honor in an attempt to create the first complete list of Purple Heart medal recipients. If you are a recipient or know someone who is, and wish to be included in the database, visit National Purple Heart Hall of Honor website or call the Hall of Honor at 845-561-1765.