Massillon in Stark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Donald R. Witmer (1946-2016)

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 29, 2025

1. Donald R. Witmer (1946-2016) Marker

Inscription.
Military Awards: National Defense Service Medal • Vietnam Service Medal • Vietnam Campaign Medal • Good Conduct Medal • Combat Infantryman Badge • Army Commendation Medal (1st OLC) • and Air Medal

Following his 1969-1970 military service, Don served his hometown as a Massillon City police officer from 1974 to 2012, retiring with the rank of lieutenant.

Don Witmer's loyalty to the men and women who served in Vietnam and his endless passion for maintaining the memory of the missing and the fallen were the driving force in creating Massillon's Vietnam Veterans Memorial. That tribute sparked the rejuvenation of the town's Veterans Memorial Park and helped his fellow veterans make peace with themselves, their community, and the war. His research and perseverence led to publication of the book, Not to Be Forgotten, Stark County's record of the sacrifices its military personnel made during the Vietnam War. His vision and advocacy guided the community toward respect and gratitude for veterans of the Vietnam era and all American military men and women.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.

Location. 40° 47.746′ N, 81° 31.274′ W. Memorial is in Massillon, Ohio, in Stark County

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. It is at the intersection of 1st Street Southeast and 5th Street Southwest, on the right when traveling north on 1st Street Southeast. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 120 1st St SE, Massillon OH 44646, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Amish Country

and in Greater Cleveland.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stark County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Massillon WWI & WWII Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Combat Wounded Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Korean War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); David Allan Gibbs (a few steps from this marker); Richard Patrick Ramey (a few steps from this marker); Jesse Ryan Buryj (a few steps from this marker); Gold Star Families (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Massillon.

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 29, 2025

2. Donald R. Witmer (1946-2016) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.