Contributed by the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) Director John C. Harris Jr. are proud to announce the members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2025, which includes Dr. Charles O. Dillard, a Clermont County resident and Cincinnati physician. Dr. Dillard was in the Air Force and continued in the Reserves for 24 years, retiring as a General — one of the first Black Generals in Ohio.
Twenty outstanding inductees will be honored for their post-military accomplishments and achievements at the 34th annual Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in November. This stellar class represents 12 Ohio counties and four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Living members of the class range in age from 58 to 90 and there are three posthumous inductees.
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber named Brother Dr. Charles O. Dillard among the 2021 Class of Great Living Cincinnatians at its annual dinner in February 2022.
Selected by the chamber’s Senior Council, Great Living Cincinnatians are recognized for service to the community; business and civic attainment on a local, state, national, or international level; leadership; awareness of the needs of others; and distinctive accomplishments that have brought favorable attention to their community, institution, or organization. Over the last 50 years, the Great Living Cincinnatians program has honored more than 160 individuals.
“In medicine, I’ve always advocated that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege,” Dr. Dillard said. “I just felt that the poor and disadvantaged need quality healthcare and unfortunately, to those without the means, it’s rationed. Money talks and buys the best healthcare. I was instrumental in setting up a neighborhood health center where we didn’t turn away the people without health insurance of other resources.”
A Fisk University graduate and Meharry Medical College, he became one of the first African American medical officers in the country to attain the rank of brigadier general. Through his work with caring Partners international, both as a doctor and as a board member, Dillard serves as a medical missionary and collects much-needed medical supplies.
In 1980, he purchased a building and transformed it into a medical center, which eventually became the community and business center – the Charles E. Dillard Memorial Building, named for his father.
He also remains active with A few Good Men, a 100-year-old organization that helps the poor in the city, serves as a backup physician for the Clermont County Board of Development Disabilities center in Batavia. He is also an active member of the Fraternity, the NAACP, the Zion Baptist Church, and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
Each class member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class meets the high standards of the Hall of Fame, which honors outstanding service and accomplishment following honorable service in the military. This amazing group has demonstrated a wide reach and has improved the lives of others through the avenues of healthcare, law practice and enforcement, conservation, public service, teaching and mentoring, veteran advocacy, filmmaking, volunteerism, philanthropy, and much more.
“Congratulations to all of the honorees who served our country in the armed forces and then continued to show their commitment to service beyond the military and throughout their lives,” said Governor DeWine. “We’re very proud of this class and thank them for all they have done to improve the lives of others.”
This year’s Induction Ceremony is set for Nov. 6, 2025, at 10 a.m., at the Fawcett Center (2400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43210) on the campus of The Ohio State University. The public is welcome to attend.
Congratulations Dr. Dillard and thank you for your service.