Honoring Our Heroes: The Ford Oval of Honor at Red, White & BOOM!
The Ford Oval of Honor is a proud tradition of Red, White & BOOM!, celebrating the courage and sacrifices of our nation’s veterans. Join us as we honor these heroes with a heartfelt tribute during the iconic parade, where the community comes together to salute those who’ve served.
2026 Ford Oval of Honor Honorees
Ship’s Cook 2nd Class Mitchel V Hill
Branch: U.S. Navy
Conflict: WWII
- WWII Victory Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- Philippine Liberation Ribbon
- Good Conduct Medal
Major Ronald H Leonard
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam
- Bronze Star Medal
- Army Commendation Medal w/V Device & 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
- Vietnam Campaign Medal w/3 Stars
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Civilian Action Honor Medal (1st Class)
Petty Officer 3rd Class John W Warden
Branch: U.S. Navy
Conflict: Vietnam
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
Master Sergeant Michael J Vaulx
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: OJC, ODS, OUD, OEF
- Bronze Star Medal
- Army Commendation Medal with V Device
- Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award)
- Army Commendation Medal (4th award)
- Army Achievement Medal
Major Teresa M Swank
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: OIF, OEF
- Bronze Star Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
- Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Army Achievement Medal
- Good Conduct Medal (6th award)
Captain Jasmin J Hurley
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: OIF
- Bronze Star Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- GWOT Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star (2nd award)
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chadd A Kuhn
Branch: Ohio Army National Guard
Conflict: OIF, OEF, GWOT
- Bronze Star Medal (2nd award)
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (4th award)
- Army Achievement Medal (2nd award)
- Valorous Unit Award
Sergeant First Class Eric T Leonard
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: OIF, OEF, OIR, GWOT
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (6th award)
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Army Achievement Medal (4th award)
Special Operations Master Chief Michael J Warden
Branch: U.S. Navy
Conflict: OIF, OEF, GWOT
- Bronze Star with Combat V (6th award)
- Bronze Star Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award)
- Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award)
- Joint Service Achievement Medal (2nd award)
Gunnery Sergeant Steven L Hicks
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Conflict: OIF, GWOT
- Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V
- Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V
- Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze M Device
- GWOT Service Medal
2025 Ford Oval of Honor Honorees
Specialist 4 John S Marshall
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam
- National Defense Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Overseas Service Medal
- Korean Service Medal
Colonel Ronald J Pusateri
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam / Desert Storm / Desert Shield
- National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Service Star
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Bronze Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
- Army Commendation Medal
Private 1st Class William Rogers
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: WWII
- European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater Medal w/5 Bronze Stars
- WWII Victory Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
CS2 Bobby L Smith
Branch: U.S. Navy
Conflict: Global War on Terror (GWOT)
- Navy Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Captain Andrew Tompkins
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: Iraq
- Bronze Star
- Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award)
- Army Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award)
- Iraq Campaign Medal w/4 Campaign Stars
Master Sergeant Gregory E Schick
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Conflict: Vietnam
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
Sergeant J ‘Nez Thomas
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: Iraq
- Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award)
- Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star
Captain Thomas R Filbert
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Conflict: Afghanistan
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster
- National Defense Service Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/1 Service Star
- Global War on Terrorism Medal
Chief Warrant Officer Dan C Henderson
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: Global War on Terror
- National Defense Service Medal
- GWOT Service Medal
- GWOT Expeditionary Medal
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award)
- Superior Unit Award
Sergeant Edward S Cobb Jr
Branch: U.S. Army
Conflict: Korea
- Bronze Star Medal
- Korean Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars
- United Nations Service Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation
