Elyria veteran inducted into Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor

ELYRIA — For his courage in the Korean War, an Elyria man was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor in a small ceremony Wednesday. Usually, Sgt. Phillip Hahn would be inducted with the rest of the class of 2020 in a ceremony in Columbus, but with the pandemic, the ceremony was scaled back. Hahn was a U.S. Marine in the Korean War. He took part in the landing at Incheon, Korea, and fought in the battle to retake Seoul, South Korea, and then fought in a number of battles at the Chosin Reservoir. The Chosin Reservoir is known as the most harrowing battle in Marine Corps history, with a 17-day battle in frozen temperatures. He received a Purple Heart for the injuries he received, a Bronze Star with "V" for valor — which denotes heroism in battle — with an Oak Leaf Cluster for the five battles he fought in. The Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor recognizes Ohio service men and women who were decorated for heroism while in combat situations. This year's class of 30 will bring the total number of Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor inductees to 422. Hahn's heroic actions while serving with a Marine infantry company on March 15, 1951, is what earned him the Bronze Star with "V" for valor. He served as a rocket launcher gunner attached to an infantry platoon. According to his medal description, Hahn's platoon was pinned down by accurate fire from a concealed enemy mortar position. He moved forward to an exposed position to locate and destroy the exposed position, directing the fire of his rocket launcher on the enemy emplacement until it was neutralized. That action enabled his platoon to continue its assault, "thereby setting an example for all who served with him and materially contributing to the success achieved by his company." Hahn, who is now 91, returned to Elyria after serving more than three years in the Marines. Phillip Hahn Jr., Hahn's son, said his dad has served as an example all his life. Once a Marine, always a Marine certainly lived true for his dad, Phillip Hahn Jr. said. Hahn was not just a military hero, but was a good Elyria athlete, too. In his sophomore year, he made the game-saving tackle in Elyria High School's last football game of the season, leading to the high school's first undefeated season in the school's history. Instead of going to Purdue or Otterbein on football scholarships, he enlisted in the Marine Corps right after graduation. After returning to Elyria from war, Hahn served 25 years on the Elyria Fire Department and retired. In his early retirement days, Hahn volunteered for the Lorain County Veterans Department for 12 years, putting in 6,176 hours driving veterans to the two VA hospitals in Brecksville and Cleveland. He helped form the local Military Order of the Purple Heart, and was also recognized as the Veteran of the Year for the Purple Heart in 1996. Hahn was recognized by the AMVETS Post 32 for meritorious services rendered in support of the AMVETS. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Elks, Lodge 465 and named Elk of The Year in Ohio in 1997. His basement still is filled with artifacts of his time with the Marines, Fire Department and veterans associations. Occasionally, he has local high school groups visit and he answers questions about his life. Of the Hall of Fame induction, Hahn said it was "quite an honor" for him. At his age, he said it's a blessing to have family and friends gather to celebrate the achievements throughout his life. Rick Piscione, of the Elyria AMVETS, said Hahn embodied being a Marine his whole life. "He carries it with him in his everyday life," Piscione said. "Everybody knows that he doesn't quit. He's going to go to his grave being one brave Marine." Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.