Bill would rename part of Interstate 76 in memory of Cpl. Benjamin Dillon

A bill that would designate a portion of Interstate 76 in Portage County as the "Cpl. Benjamin C. Dillon Memorial Highway" has passed the Ohio House.

State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) said Sub. House Bill 291 includes several road-naming bills, including her House Bill 25, which would honor Dillon.

The bill will go to the senate for further consideration.

“To say Corporal Dillon was an honored and decorated veteran is an understatement,” said Pavliga. “He served our country with great honor.”

Dillon graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in March of 2005, after enlisting into the Army in 2004. He served in the 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment as a rifleman, grenadier, automatic rifleman, machine gunner, and gun team leader. He was killed in action in October 2007.

Dillon’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal 2nd award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. He was also posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with V Device for Valor, the Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Dillon often volunteered within his community of Edinburg. He helped with the groundbreaking work to establish Edinburg Township Park, which has walking trails, baseball, soccer and football fields, playgrounds, and concession stands. At Southeast High School, he played baseball, basketball, and golf. Dillon helped maintain the parks grounds and umpired there in high school. The Ben Dillon Memorial Tournament raises money for a scholarship at Southeast High School in his memory.