The January Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month is Gerald “Jerry” Hogan. The Marine Corps veteran was recognized at the Kosciusko County Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom. From left: Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, Kosciusko County Commissioners’ President Brad Jackson, Hogan and Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw native Gerald “Jerry” Hogan is the January Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month.

Hogan was recognized at the Kosciusko County Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, Jan. 3. Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell presented Hogan with a certificate and read biographical information on him, including the following.

Hogan was the first Warsaw Community High School student appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., being commissioned an Officer of Marines after his time at the academy. While with the Marines, he was in Quantico, Va., Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines, Lansing, Mich., and at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Hogan was part of the evacuation of Saigon, South Vietnam, known as Operation Frequent Wind. While in the military, he received the Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and Defense Service Medal. Hogan became a captain before resigning to enter civilian life, having spent six years on active duty.

As a civilian, Hogan worked in various management positions for 20 years, with most in the electronics component industry. In 2000, he started his own business, training others in leadership, sales, process efficiency and behavioral analysis.

He’s been semi-retired since 2020 and enjoys time with his wife, Sally, and goldendoodle Winston. Jerry and Sally have seven children, 11 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

Hogan has been a member of American Legion Post 49 of Warsaw for 36 years and is a Veterans of Foreign Wars post life member. He also has membership in the Marine Corps Association and U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association. Hogan has worked to support active and reserve troops.

He is the Indiana Guard Reserve’s Warsaw Unit former commanding officer and was the area Blue and Gold officer for a few years. The latter involved working with admissions support for the Naval Academy.

Hogan also served on the Indiana State Senate’s military and veterans affairs commission and as a captain in the Civil Air Patrol. He is the area vice chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, with that Department of Defense organization helping military members and employers interpret the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Hogan, who spoke at last year’s joint Veterans Day ceremony in Warsaw involving American Legion Post 49 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126, said he “appreciate(d) the honor” Tuesday.

“I accept this on behalf of all veterans. All who served are worthy of our respect and our recognition,” said Hogan.