Kim Gearhart is the November 2024 Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month. Shown from left are County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, County Commissioner Cary Groninger, Von Frieden, Brian Pyle, Sheriff Jim Smith, Gearhart, County Commissioners Bob Conley and Brad Jackson and Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris McKeand. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.

By David Slone
Times-Union

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — A Kosciusko County court security deputy who served 20 years in the military is the Veteran of the Month for November 2024.

Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell read Kim Gearhart’s biography at the county commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19, in introducing Gearhart as the award recipient.

“Kim Gearhart, better known to all of you most likely as Gunney, was born in 1957 in Warsaw to Robert and Sarah, one of four children,” McDowell said.

After graduating from Warsaw Community High School, Gearhart joined the Marine Corps in 1974, completing basic training at San Diego Recruit Depot and advanced training at Camp Pendleton, California. After graduation, he was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton as well, and later deployed to Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Marine Division. He closed his career at Marine Barracks, Washington D.C., as the Honor Guard, known as the “Yankee White Program” as the chief assistant, McDowell said.

Throughout Gearhart’s service, he held various notable assignments and positions, including drill sergeant and infantry advanced training instructor for the officer corp, located in Parris Island, S.C., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., respectively.

He earned numerous awards and recognitions during his 20-year military career, including the Navy Commendation and the Southwest Asia Service Medal “and many more,” McDowell stated.

After retiring as a gunnery sergeant in 1995, Gearhart “didn’t stop serving our nation. In fact, he came back to this community and is serving in our Kosciusko County safety office as a security deputy at this point,” McDowell said.

Upon being presented the framed certificate, Gearhart said, “I appreciate it. I’ve got to let you know that this is for all the veterans in this country, especially the class of 1975, the guys who answered the call.”

He pointed out a couple guys he had with him for the award presenting, including Maj. Brian Pyle, Sgt. 1st Class Von Frieden and Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith, who also is a veteran.