Lanier Township near Gratis in Preble County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Clarence Irvin Kesler

1882 - 1975

— Hall of Honor —

Clarence Irvin Kesler Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. Clarence Irvin Kesler Marker

Inscription. Born and raised in Preble County, Kesler received the Navy Cross for his service as crewmember on Seaplane NC-1 that crossed the Atlantic Ocean in May 1919. For this history-making first he also received the highest non-citizen honor of the Order of the Tower and Sword medallion from the King of Portugal. His distinguished Navy service led to a pilot's career with Pan American Airways in Central and South America.

Inducted into the Hall of Honor July 2, 2017

As recorders of Preble County history, PCHS and The Register-Herald are natural partners in co-sponsoring the Hall of Honor

Erected 2017 by Preble County Historical Society - The Register-Herald. (Marker Number 30.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1919.

Location. 39° 39.495′ N, 84° 32.848′ W. Marker is near Gratis, Ohio, in Preble County. It is in Lanier Township. It is at the intersection of Swartsel Road

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and Ohio Route 122, on the right when traveling south on Swartsel Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7693 Swartsel Road, Eaton OH 45320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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: Timothy H. Miller (here, next to this marker); Laura A. Hawes (here, next to this marker); Col. Charles M. Hendricks, MD (here, next to this marker); Sherwood Anderson (here, next to this marker); Alfa Lloyd Hayes (here, next to this marker); Sarah Elizabeth Daugherty Reynolds (here, next to this marker); Billy J. "Bill" Sewert (here, next to this marker); Irene Hardy (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gratis.

Preble County Historical Society & Nature Reserve - Hall of Honor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

2. Preble County Historical Society & Nature Reserve - Hall of Honor

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.