U.S. Army veteran John R. Sullivan is the September 2024 Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month. Shown from left are Darryl McDowell, county veteran service officer; Cary Groninger, county commissioner; Sullivan; Bob Conley and Brad Jackson, county commissioners. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.

By David Slone
Times-Union

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — A U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam was recognized Tuesday, Sept. 10, as the Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month for September 2024 by the county commissioners.

John R. Sullivan, Warsaw, was born Nov. 14, 1950, to Robert Sullivan and Barbara Skinner, one of six siblings. He graduated in 1968 in Frankfort, according to Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, who read Sullivan’s biography.
After high school, Sullivan went into recreational vehicle manufacturing until he was drafted June 8, 1970. He was sent immediately to Fort Knox, Ky., for basic training, doing his advanced military training at Fort Polk, La.

“He was immediately sent off to Vietnam, assigned to the 23rd Infantry Division, where his unit was focused on disruption and engagement of the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong,” McDowell said.

Sullivan was honorably discharged Dec. 27, 1971, with the rank of specialist 4.

The service awards he earned included two Bronze Stars, an Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Medal, Expert Rifle and Expert M60 Machine Gun.

John and his wife Nancy L. Sullivan have five children: Becky, Gina, Carrie, Matthew and Ben; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“After his military career, though, he worked 35 years as an (Indiana) conservation officer,” McDowell said. Sullivan was assigned to Kosciusko County for 20 years and was a district one commander for 15 years. He currently works as an investigator for the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office.

McDowell said Sullivan loves spending time with his family and friends, playing the guitar, hunting turkey and deer.

After receiving his framed certificate, Sullivan said, “Throughout my life, I’ve tried to stay out of the spotlight the best I could, that always served me well. I’m a little uncomfortable with this, as far as this recognition goes, but I deeply appreciate it and thank you all very much.“