National Veterans Freedom Mural 1-Section 4
Taking a deeper look at the Veterans in Section 4
Section 4 Veterans
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Congressman Jim Banks
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Chad Nicholas Banks
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Chester Lee Simon
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James Chester Banks
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John. M. Hess
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Randy Lee Batty
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Jack “Steven” Batty II
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Donald Eugene Pequignot
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Richard E. Pequignot
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Edward Koday
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Loydd Vernon Waikel
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William A. Sinko
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Richard E. Staedtler
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Gunnery Sgt. Charles Caudill
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Charles E. Graham
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Blake L. Wilson
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Ray E. Wilson
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Clay Wilson
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Herman F. Lemper
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Dan Charles Camp
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Austin Spencer
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Glenn Verlin Schneider
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Ernest Vandersaul
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Ricky Houser
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Leolan "Press" Pressler
This Website is a Tribute & Thank You to all Veterans and to everyone that supported this Project.
Banks Family Veterans
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Chad Nicholas Banks
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James "Jim" Edward Banks
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Chester Lee Simon
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James Chester Banks
Chad Nicholas Banks
US Air Force 2002, Security Forces; TX, CA, ND.
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Chad Nicholas Banks
US Air Force Veteran Chad Nicholas Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
Chad Nicholas Banks
US Air Force 2002, Security Forces; TX, CA, ND.
Deployed to AI Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar Global War on Terrorism.
U.S.A.F. Recruiter later Honorably Discharged.
Whitley County Chamber of Commerce, & Etna Troy Twp.
2017 Whitley County Council Advisory Board.
2020-2025 Whitley County Commissioner.
Awarded the Sagamore of Wabash.
3 Year Term on Indiana War Memorial Commission,
Veteran of Foreign Wars. VFW & American Legion member.
“A Man of Deep Faith, honoring God in all he did.”
Loving Husband and Father
May 25th, 1981-Sept 17th, 2025
Chad Nicholas Banks
US Air Force Veteran Chad Nicholas Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
James "Jim" Edward Banks
US Navy Reserves Lieutenant
2010 IN State Senator,
2014-2016 Deployed in Afghanistan
2016 Elected to US House of Representatives
U.S. representative for Indiana's 3rd congressional district from 2017 to 2025
2008-2010 Whitley County Council
2007-2011 Chaired the Whitley Co. Republican Party
118th Congress Committee Assignments
Committee assignments - For the 118th Congress:[38]
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Military Personnel (chair)
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Committee on Education and the Workforce
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development
Committee on Strategic Competition: US & Chinese Communist Party
2023 Banks reintroduced the MAHSA Act
Chad Nicholas Banks
Veteran Chad Nicholas Banks Painted by Michael Lude on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude
James "Jim" Edward Banks
US Navy Reserves Lieutenant
James "Jim" Edward Banks
Veteran James "Jim" Edward Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude
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Chad Nicholas Banks US Air Force
US Air Force Veteran Chad Nicholas Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
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James "Jim" Edward Banks US Navy
US Navy Veteran James "Jim" Edward Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Chad Nicholas Banks US Air Force
Veteran George E. Lutz on MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural 2024 by Michael & Jennifer Lude
Chad Nicholas Banks US Air Force
US Air Force Veteran Chad Nicholas Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
James "Jim" Edward Banks US Navy
US Navy Veteran James "Jim" Edward Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Chester Lee Simon
Private E-1
James "Jim" Edward Banks US Navy
US Navy Veteran James "Jim" Edward Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Chester Lee Simon
Veteran Chester Lee Simon on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
James Chester Banks
Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
James Chester Banks
Banks on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
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Batty, Pequignot, & Wilson
Grouped Veteran Section (4)
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John. M. Hess
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Randy Lee Batty
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Jack “Steven” Batty II
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Donald Eugene Pequignot
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Richard E. Pequignot
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Clay Wilson
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Ray E. Wilson
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Blake L. Wilson
Jack "Steven" Batty II
US Army Veteran Jack "Steven" Batty II on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
John M. Hess
US Army POW 1922-2016 US, WWII 1944-45, Bronze Star Recipient
Jack "Steven" Batty II
US Army Veteran Jack "Steven" Batty II on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
John M. Hess
US Army Veteran John M. Hess (Bronze Star Recipient) on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Randy Lee Batty
US Navy 1979-2012
Donald Eugene Pequignot
US Army Specialist 4, 4th-5th Artillery
Red Diamond Charlie 2, Vietnam Sept 1969-1971 National Guard 1973-1974
Randy Lee Batty
US Navy Veteran Randy Lee Batty on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Donald Eugene Pequignot
US Army Specialist 4 Veteran Donald Eugene Pequignot on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Richard E. Pequignot
Richard E. Pequignot on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
Clay Wilson
Veteran Clay Wilson on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
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Clay Wilson
Veteran Clay Wilson on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Ray E. Wilson
US Marine Corps Veteran Ray E. Wilson on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
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Blake L. Wilson
US Marine Corps Veteran Blake L. Wilson on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
Ray E. Wilson
US Marine Corps Veteran Ray E. Wilson on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Blake L. Wilson
US Marine Corps Veteran Blake L. Wilson on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Section 4 Veterans
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Glenn Verlin Schneider
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Ernest Vandersaul
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Charles E. Graham
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Herman F. Lemper
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Dan Charles Camp
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Edward Koday
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Loydd Vernon Waikel
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Gunnery Sgt. Charles Caudill
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Austin Spencer
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Sgt. Ricky Houser
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Col William A. Sinko
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Richard E. Staedtler
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S. Sgt. Glenn Verlin Schneider
WWII US Army S. Sgt Glenn Verlin Schneider (April 26,1923-June 2, 1993) on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
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Herman F. Lemper
US Veteran Herman F. Lemper (2nd Lieutenant 1942-1945) on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
S. Sgt. Glenn Verlin Schneider
WWII US Army S. Sgt Glenn Verlin Schneider on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Herman F. Lemper
US Veteran Herman F. Lemper on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Ernest Vandersaul
1918
Dan Charles Camp
US Navy Veteran Dan Charles Camp (US Navy 3rd Class Petty Officer) on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
Ernest Vandersaul
Ernest Vandersaul on MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural 2024 by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Dan Charles Camp
US Navy Veteran Dan Charles Camp on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Edward Koday
US Navy Veteran Edward Koday on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
Gunnery Sergeant Charles Caudill
US Marine Corps Veteran Gunnery Sergeant Charles Caudill (Served with India Company,
3rd Battalion, 25 Marines, 4th Marine Division Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005)
Edward Koday
US Navy Veteran Edward Koday on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Gunnery Sergeant Charles Caudill
US Marine Corps Veteran Gunnery Sergeant Charles Caudill on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Loydd Vernon Waikel
Vietnam Veteran Loydd Vernon Waikel
2 Tours Vietnam 1968-1969,
1970-71 with 101st Airborne Division,
1981 197th Infantry Japan Germany and Korea,
Drill Sergeant until 1989
Austin Spencer
US Navy Veteran Austin Spencer on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana.
Loydd Vernon Waikel
Vietnam Veteran Loydd Vernon Waikel on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Austin Spencer
US Navy Veteran Austin Spencer on the MJL Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
Charles E. Graham
US Navy Vietnam 1964-1967
USS Frank Knox
Charles E. Graham
US Navy Veteran Charles E. Graham on National Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2025
SGT Ricky Houser
US Marines
12th Squadron Division
Vietnam War 1971-1975
SGT Ricky Houser
Ricky Houser on National Veteran's Freedom Mural by Michael & Jennifer Lude at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Indiana. Painted by Michael Lude 2026
COL William A. Sinko
Secretary USAES, Awarding Bronze Star
1LT Richard E. Staedtler
Awarded the Bronze Star for outstanding meritorious service action against a hostile Force in Vietnam in May-Aug 1969
COL William A. Sinko
Secretary USAES, Awarding Bronze Star
1LT Richard E. Staedtler
Richard Staedtler on the National Veteran's Freedom Mural at Big Boar Cycles in Columbia City, Painted by Michael Lude
Leolan "Press" Pressler
US Army, Korean War
Leolan "Press" Pressler
US Army, Korean War
Veterans Freedom Mural: Section 04 Honor Roll
Location: Site 1 (Columbia City, IN) | Section 04
Below is the official index of veterans featured in Section 04. Each portrait was hand-painted from original family reference photos to ensure their legacy is preserved in our living archive.
Archival Note:
This database serves as a digital repository for veteran history and commemorative records. Information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources, including official military documentation, family-provided narratives, and oral histories. While we strive for historical accuracy, some details may be limited or reflect the personal recollections of the submitter. This index is intended for educational and genealogical research and does not constitute an official government record of service
Numerical Order | Rank | Veteran's Name | Service/Branch | Dates of Service | Unit(s) of Assignment | Conflict or Era | Awards | Family | Additional Details | Source Material | Veteran Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chad Nicholas Banks | U.S. Air Force | 2002 | Doha, Security Forces; TX, CA, ND. U.S.A.F. Recruiter later Honorably Discharged. | Qatar | Awarded the Sagamore of Wabash. 3 Year Term on Indiana War Memorial Commission, Veteran of Foreign Wars. VFW & American Legion member. | Banks Family Veterans | Deployed to AI Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar Global War on Terrorism. Whitley County Chamber of Commerce, & Etna Troy Twp. 2017 Whitley County Council Advisory Board. 2020-2025 Whitley County Commissioner. Loving Husband and Father “A Man of Deep Faith, honoring God in all he did.” May 25th, 1981-Sept 17th, 2025 | online published documents | Section 4 | |
2 | Lieutenant | James "Jim" Edward Banks | US Navy Reserves | Afghanistan, | Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, Committee on Strategic Competition: US & Chinese Communist Party, 2023 Banks reintroduced the MAHSA Act | Banks Family Veterans | 2010 IN State Senator, 2014-2016 Deployed in Afghanistan, 2016 Elected to US House of Representatives, U.S. representative for Indiana's 3rd congressional district from 2017 to 2025, 2008-2010 Whitley County Council, 2007-2011 Chaired the Whitley Co. Republican Party 118th Congress Committee Assignments, Committee assignments - For the 118th Congress:[38], Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Personnel (chair), Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions | online published documents | Section 4 | ||
3 | Private E-1 | Chester Lee Simon | Banks Family Veterans | Jim & Chad Banks Grandfather/Mother's side | Military Documents/Family | Section 4 | |||||
4 | James Chester Banks | Banks Family Veterans | Jim & Chad Banks Grandfather/Father's side | Family | Section 4 | ||||||
5 | Jack "Steven" Batty II | US Army | Good Conduct Medal | Batty, Pequignot | Batty, Pequignot, & Wilson | Family | Section 4 | ||||
6 | Randy Lee Batty | United States Navy | Coast Guard Achievement Medal | Batty, Pequignot | 20 years of service, specialized in search and rescue operations | Family | Section 4 | ||||
7 | POW | John M. Hess | United States Army | 1944-1945 | WWII | Bronze Star Recipient | Batty, Pequignot , Hess | Family | Section 4 | ||
8 | Specialist 4, | Donald Eugene Pequignot | United States Army, National Guard | 1969-1971 | 4th-5th Artillery Red Diamond Charlie 2. | Vietnam | Batty, Pequignot | Family | Section 4 | ||
9 | Richard E. Pequignot | Batty, Pequignot | Family | Section 4 | |||||||
10 | Clay Wilson | Wilson Family Veterans | Section 4 | ||||||||
11 | Blake L. Wilson | United States Marine Corps | Wilson Family Veterans | Section 4 | |||||||
12 | Ray E. Wilson | United States Marine Corps | Wilson Family Veterans | Section 4 | |||||||
13 | Staff Sergeant | Glenn Verlin Schneider | United States Army | April 26,1923-June 2, 1993 | Section 4 | ||||||
14 | Ernest Vandersaul | 1918 | WWI | Section 4 | |||||||
15 | 2nd Lieutenant | Herman F. Lemper | 1942-1945 | Section 4 | |||||||
16 | 3rd Class Petty Officer | Dan Charles Camp | United States Navy | Section 4 | |||||||
17 | Edward Koday | United States Navy | Section 4 | ||||||||
18 | Loydd Vernon Waikel | United States Army Air Force | 1968-1981 | 1970-71 with 101st Airborne Division, 1981 197th Infantry, Drill Sergeant until 1989 | 2 Tours Vietnam, Japan Germany, and Korea | Section 4 | |||||
19 | Gunnery Sergeant | Gunnery Sergeant Charles Caudill | United States Marine Corps | India Company, 3rd Battalion, 25 Marines, 4th Marine Division Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005) | Iraq | Section 4 | |||||
20 | Austin Spencer | United States Navy | Section 4 | ||||||||
21 | Charles E. Graham | United States Navy | 1964-1967 | USS Frank Knox | Vietnam | Section 4 | |||||
22 | SGT | Ricky Houser | United States Marine Corps | 1971-1975 | 12th Squadron Division | Vietnam War | |||||
23 | COL | William A. Sinko | Secretary USAES | ||||||||
24 | 1LT | Richard E. Staedtler | 1969 | Bronze Star | Awarded the Bronze Star for outstanding meritorious service action against a hostile Force in Vietnam in May-Aug 1969 | Newspaper | |||||
25 | Leolan "Press" Pressler | United States Army | 1958 | Korean War | 7/4/1931-11/18/2020 |
