By JACKIE HENRY
Managing Editor
jhenry@cherryroad.com
CSM Arno C. Land, (Tipton County) was inducted into the Indiana Military Veteran’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2024. He was one of 15 Hoosier veterans inducted in the 2024 Class. The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame Memorial is located in Lawrence, Ind.
The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame honors Hoosier veterans “for their military service achievements, veteran advocacy, and community contributions.”
The inductees were selected from 39 nominations this year, the organization said.
Platoon Sergeant Major Arno C. Land distinguished himself on May 21, 1966, while serving as Acting platoon leader during a search and destroy mission at the village of Long Phouc, Republic of Vietnam. After Land had maneuvered his platoon into the center of a Viet Cong defensive position, it received intense hostile fire and numerous insurgent claymore mines were deployed. With complete disregard for his safety, Land exposed himself to the Viet Cong fire to ensure his platoon seized the objective. At one point when the Viet Cong gained fire superiority, Land ran forward to the aid of a wounded comrade and carried him to safety. During the ensuing battle, he personally coordinated with the platoon on his flank. On numerous occasions, he exposed himself to the hostile fire to ensure that his unit was successfully progressing. Through his courage and outstanding leadership, he inspired his men and the men of adjacent units to ultimate victory over the well-armed and determined Viet Cong force. His extraordinary heroism against a hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. For his actions, Platoon Sergeant Land was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for valor. Land was nominated by General Richard Chegar, Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
Patty Cohee, his eldest daughter, accepted the honor on his behalf.
CSM Land was born in Windfall on June 23, 1932, the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Land. Rev. Land was the pastor of Goldsmith and Hopewell Methodist churches. Land enlisted in the army on Dec. 7, 1950, after working with his brother-in-law, Clyde Smith and Son Construction Company as a carpenter.
CSM Land, a paratrooper, earned several medals while enlisted. These included the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars with three Oak Leaf Clusters, two Purple Hearts, a Master Parachutist Badge and a Combat Infantry Badge with Star earned over four combat tours placed him at the highest level of service.
CMS Land enjoyed a distinguished 23-year military career. A member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, CMS Land was involved in numerous combat operations.
In June 2017, a bridge on U.S. 31, near the Tipton/Howard county line was dedicated to CMS Land.
Following his death, CSM Land was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
Land’s daughters, Patricia Cohee and Lois Lee Bell.
