U.S. Army Silver Star Award winner Rick Hausman of Hilliard, Ohio stands out among the many Ohioans who answered our nation’s call to duty and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

After graduating from Hilliard High School in 1967, the honors student and varsity athlete enrolled at Ohio State University, where he tried out and made Coach Woody Hayes’ football team as a freshman.  The next year, Rick was a member of the Super Sophomore class that won the 1968 College Football Championship.  

That December, after the Michigan game, Rick left the team to join the Army and entered basic training. In March, 1969, Rick shipped out to Vietnam.  On May 27, after less than 6 weeks in country, PFC Hausman suffered mortal wounds protecting his fellow soldiers in a firefight, earning a Silver Star for Valor for his efforts. 

Here is the official record of his valor in combat:

Private First Class Hausman’s unit was subjected to a vicious North Vietnamese Army small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenade fusillade from well-fortified positions. 

With complete disregard for his personal safety, he ignored the enemy barrage raking the area and immediately returned intense fire on the insurgents. When several casualties were sustained on another armored vehicle, he braved a hail of hostile rounds and placed suppressive fire which enabled medical aidmen to evacuate the injured personnel to a more tenable location. 

While continuing to destroy enemy bunkers with devastating recoilless rifle barrages, Private First Class Hausman was mortally wounded. 

His intrepid determination, selfless concern for his comrades, and exemplary courage were instrumental in saving Soldiers’ lives, and significantly contributed to successful outcome of the encounter.

He was 19 years old.

Recently, The Ohio State University athletic department awarded Rick’s family a pair of the traditional Gold Pants for beating Michigan and a National Championship Ring in memory of his service to his country and to the Ohio State football team. 

In 2023 the OSU Army ROTC program created the Rick Hausman Silver Bullet Award for Leadership for their top senior cadet.

Rick was also inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor in 2024 and is recognized in the Dublin Cemetery and Wesley Chapel veterans memorials.

The Friends of Rick Hausman Committee has now established a college scholarship fund to honor Rick’s sacrifice and asks the American Legion Ohio Charities to make a contribution of $10,000 to help launch this fund towards its 2026 goal of $50,000.

This scholarship will be awarded annually to the best all around Hilliard Davidson High School graduate athlete, according to three criteria: leadership, courage and excellence. 

The scholarship will be selected in concert with Hilliard City Schools by the Friends of Rick Hausman Committee, which currently includes several of Rick’s Hilliard High School classmates and teammates.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have.  Please call 614-271-0641 or email PeteMiller1@sbcglobal.net. All gifts are fully tax deductible per I.R.S. rules and regulations.  

Thank you.

 

Major General Deborah A. Ashenhurst,​​Col. Adam C. Miller, U.S. Army, Ret’d.​

U.S. Army, Ret’d.​​​​​Commander, American Legion Post #614

Director, Ohio Dept. of Veterans Affairs​​Former Ohio State Representative 

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Lt. Col. Michael Kelvington, U.S. Army​​Fred M. Owen, U.S. Army Reserve, Capt., Ret’d.

American Legion Post #800, Life Member​​Hilliard High School Class of 1966​

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Doug Maggied, U.S. Navy Seaman, Ret’d.​​Ed Palmer​​​​​

Hilliard High School Class of 1966​​​Hilliard High School Class of 1967