Representative Manchester Announces House Passage of Legislation Honoring Shelby County Vietnam War Veteran

COLUMBUS – Legislation honoring a Shelby County Vietnam War veteran has been approved by the Ohio House of Representatives, State Representative Susan Manchester announced today.

In 1968, Sergeant First Class Greg Huston of the US Army Special Forces was listed as “Missing in Action” in Vietnam. His remains were never recovered and he is the only citizen from Shelby County whose status remains unknown.

The legislation would designate a portion of State Route 66, between Houston Road and Roeth Road, the “SFC Charles Gregory Huston Memorial Highway” in his honor. The measure was part of House Bill 276.

Manchester (R-Waynesfield) said Huston was among nearly 600 Americans who disappeared in Laos.

“His family, like many throughout our country, has been deprived of closure,” Manchester said. “While we cannot heal the hearts of those who knew him, we can honor his bravery and ensure his service to our country is never forgotten.”

Huston was part of a special task force engaged in highly classified operations during the Vietnam War. On March 28, 1968, Huston’s group came under heavy enemy fire that prevented SFC Huston and two other American soldiers from boarding an evacuation helicopter. On April 1, a search and rescue team was not able to locate any of the three Americans. Huston was declared missing in action until Jan. 26, 1977, when he was officially declared to be dead. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant while listed as MIA and has a memorial cemetery marker at Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

The legislation has received extensive local backing, including support from the Shelby County commissioners, Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst, and Sergeant First Class Huston’s family.

The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.