Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame

Rick Goodwin and Col. Russell Dowden, Jr. (Ret)

Col. Russell Dowden, Jr. (Ret)  and Rick Goodwin spoke to Kiwanis about the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame (IMVHOF), that was founded in 2013.  Dowden serves as chair of the Hall of Fame and Goodwin was one of the first inductees into the Hall of Fame in 2014.  Goodwin is  1965 graduate from Greenfield High School and currently resides with his wife in Greenfield.

The IMVHOF’s stated objective is “to publically emphasize the honor brought to our state and nation by the sacrifice of Indiana military veterans and their families.” On April 25, 2013, the Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana Senate recognized the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame organization. Indiana follows only a handful of other states who have established similar organizations.

The year 2014 marked the first induction of Hoosier Veterans into the Hall of Fame. Nominations came from all corners of the state and reflected contributions made by military veterans from World War II through the current engagements in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Colonel Dowden was a Distinguished Military Graduate from Arkansas State in 1962 with a BS in Accounting and a commission in the Field Artillery. He has served in positions of command and staff throughout the Army and around the world, to include small unit command in the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam, command of the 7th Finance Group in Saudi Arabia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Commandant of the U.S. Army Finance School. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, and our nation's third highest award for valor in combat: the Silver Star.  He was inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Col. Dowden introduced Rick Dowden with the service event that he received his nomination for the Hall of Fame:

On 14 February 1966 Second Lieutenant Dowden was serving as leader of a forward observer party when his company received intense hostile fire from a well-fortified Viet Cong force. Dauntlessly, Lieutenant Dowden exposed himself to the intense hostile fire to effectively direct the return fire of his men and counterattack the insurgents. During the course of the mission a claymore mine was detonated which severely wounded his company commander. Although painfully wounded himself, Lieutenant Dowden went to the aid of his commander, and attempted to shield him from intense sniper fire. While rendering first aid, a second claymore mine was detonated, severely injuring Lieutenant Dowden.

The Silver Star was awarded to Richard E. Goodwin for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 14 May 1969. Lieutenant Goodwin distinguished himself while serving as executive officer, Company G, 3rd Battalion (Airmobile), 187th Infantry during an assault on Dong Ap Bia Mountain. As the battle began, Lieutenant Goodwin’s unit came under heavy automatic weapons fire, wounding him in the wrist and forearm. He refused medical attention and evacuation while supervising the extraction of the wounded members of his company. Despite the disabling nature of his own wounds, Lieutenant Goodwin repeatedly braved the hostile enemy fire to move the most seriously wounded men to protected positions for evacuation. His actions were an inspiration to his men and instrumental in reducing the severity of casualties. Lieutenant Goodwin’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

The Hall of Fame’s building is currently under construction on the former Ft. Benjamin Harrison property in Lawrence and scheduled to open this fall.  For further information or to make a donation go to imvhof.com.