7-11-2026 8:32pm

Ohio Veteran's Hall of Famer Jerry Ferris To Speak In Carlisle

Beth Callahan Editor

2025 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame — Jerry Ferris

CARLISLE, OH -- On July 18, 2026, the Carlisle Area Historical Society, along with the Carlisle Community Church, is holding an America 250 Ohio Celebration as they welcome State of Ohio Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Jerry Ferris to speak. He is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m., at the Carlisle Community Church located at 780 Fairview Dr., Carlisle, Ohio.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ferris joined the US Marine Corps after graduating from high school in 1967. He served six years, which included two tours of duty in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969 – one as infantry and one as a Scout Sniper. His service also took him to Guam, Okinawa, the Philippines, and the American Embassy in El Salvador as NCOIC.

His decorations include the Bronze Star with Valor, three Purple Hearts, the Navy Commendation Medal and numerous other awards.

After his honorable discharge in 1973, he began a successful civilian career, retiring as Sales Manager after 26 years with Armco/AK Steel, followed by positions with Ameritech, Voss Auto Network, Auto Nation, and US Xpress.

Now that he has retired from his civilian career, Ferris stays very active in veteran advocacy. He has served as or been involved in:

Ohio Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart,
Commander of the MOPH Honor Guard,
President of the Warren County Veterans Services Commission.
The American Legion as Service Officer,
The National Veterans Memorial Museum Advisory Board,
and helped fundraise for the Dayton VA Fisher House and the Tapestry of Springboro Veterans Care facility.

Ferris also organizes Warren County’s annual Purple Heart Day ceremony and volunteers with Hospice of Dayton, Honor Flight, Veterans Court and VA Volunteer Services. In his free time, the lifelong learner and adventurer has earned a degree in photography through the G.I. Bill® and logged more than 2,600 skydives with the Kings Island team.

In 2025 Ferris was inducted into the Ohio Veteran's Hall of Fame. Currently, Ferris is the President of the Warren County Veterans Services' Commissioners's Board, which he has served on for the past 6 years.

To learn more about his story click below to watch the Ohio Veteran's Hall of Fame Youtube on Ferris....