Girard native, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient to visit St. Rose School

Specialist 4th Class, Kenneth Davis

Students at St. Rose Catholic School in Girard are in for a lesson in service and heroism this week. Kenneth David, a Girard native and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, will visit the school on Friday, May 2nd, at 1 p.m. to speak with the 6th through 8th-grade students about his military service and the actions that led to the nation's highest military honor.

David, awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor during the Vietnam War, is one of only three Ohioans to receive the distinction and the sole living recipient in the state.

"We are very excited to have him visit our school," said Vickie Glass, Director of Admissions at St. Rose. "It is not every day that you meet a Congressional Medal of Honor winner."

Born and raised in Girard, David enlisted in the Army in August 1969. He served as an indirect fire crewman with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1970. During a military operation, his extraordinary heroism earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, which was later upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was wounded in action in May 1970.

During his visit, school officials hope David will also participate in raising the school's new American flag. The flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the school's 8th-grade students during their recent trip to Washington D.C., courtesy of U.S. Congressman David Joyce.

David, an Eagle Scout, retired from York Mahoning Mechanical in Youngstown. He has been recognized for his bravery with inductions into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor and Military Bravery and as a Distinguished Member of the Regiment of the 1-506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He is a member of numerous veterans' organizations.