Captain Stephen J. Chaney, a Marion native, will be inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor on May 3, 2013 at a ceremony on Ohio Veteran's Plaza on the east side of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. The ceremony begins at 11:30 am and concludes at 12:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony.  Cpt. Chaney, 23, was killed on September 23, 1969 during a Reconnaissance Operation conducted by a Special Forces Team during the Vietnam War. Cpt. Chaney was born in Marion, Ohio on January 26, 1946, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Chaney. He is survived by a sister, Sheila Chaney Bisaillon (Tom), a niece, Ann Noelle Jones, a nephew Michael Bisaillon, and several grand nieces and grand nephews.

 

 Cpt. Chaney graduated from Marion Catholic High School in 1964 following a successful sports career culminating in his selection as First Team All-Ohio in football his senior year. Cpt. Chaney was awarded a full football scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. In 1966 he made the life altering decision  to give up his football scholarship and join the U. S. Army.

 

Cpt. Chaney received his commission in February, 1967. After completing the Airborne Course, Southeast Asia Study Program and Jungle Expert School he was sent to Vietnam in December, 1967. In January, 1968 he was assigned as the Executive Officer of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Company. He consistently gave of himself and truly left a lasting and memorable impression on all those with whom he came into contact. He quickly won the universal respect of the men, NCO'c and other officers through his outstanding leadership skills. He instilled confidence in all who served with him.

 

At the end of 1968 he extended his tour of duty in Vietnam in order to secure an assignment with the 5th Special Forces Group. After a brief leave back home to Marion he returned to Vietnam. He was promoted to Captain on February 8, 1969 and became the team leader of Team Missouri. He and his teammates were involved in long range reconnaissance patrols deep into enemy territory. During one of these patrols into Laos in September, 1969 his team discovered an enemy encampment and called in the position to helicopter gunships. The first helicopter fired rockets which were on target but the second helicopter fired a rocket that went astray and landed in the middle of Cpt. Chaney's team. Every member of the team was wounded. Cpt. Chaney requested immediate extraction for his team. By the time rescue helicopters arrived Cpt. Chaney was weak and near death. He nonetheless remained in control of the situation to assure all members of his team were evacuated and received the medical attention they required. Cpt. Chaney died of his wounds before reaching the rear medical facility.

 

For his actions in this operation Cpt. Chaney was awarded the Silver Star, a medal awarded to a person distinguishing himself or herself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in a military operation involving conflict with an opposing enemy force.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cpt. Chaney was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his actions in July, 1969. During an enemy rocket attack on their base, two warehouses caught fire. Cpt. Chaney, in complete disregard for his own safety, repeatedly entered the burning warehouses to salvage as much equipment as he could. He organized salvage efforts and continued this operation until he was forced to leave the warehouse due to exploding grenades and small arms ammunition.

 

Cpt. Chaney's choice of service to his country over a football future with unlimited potential; his selfless devotion to duty and to those around him; and the way he conducted himself day-to-day all serve as an example to those who follow. For these reasons the members of the E-51 L. R. R. P. and G-75 Ranger Association have nominated Cpt. Chaney to the U. S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame. This nomination is pending.

 

The Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor inducted its first class in 2000. Through 2012 they have inducted 218 members. Cpt. Chaney is the first from Marion County since the Hall of Fame started keeping track of the home county. Current service members and veterans can qualify for induction into the Hall of Fame if they have received a U. S. military medal for valor. The medal must have been awarded to recognize specific acts of heroism, as opposed to recognition of meritorious service over an extended period of time. Inductees must have been born in Ohio or entered the service in Ohio. Please visit their website at www.ohioheroes.org/ for complete details.

 

Cpt.  Chaney was also honored in 1983 when a new Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Marion elected to name the new post The Stephen J. Chaney VFW Post 7201.