Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
For the second time this year, Forrest Kantner was honored Tuesday for his service not only to his country but also to his community.
Back in May, he was the Mentone Egg Festival Parade grand marshal.
Tuesday, County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell and the Kosciusko County Commissioners recognized Kantner as the September 2026 Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month.
Born in August 1933 in Howe to Albert and Martha Kantner, Kantner grew up with a deep commitment to family and country, McDowell said in introducing Kantner. Following his graduation from Bristol High School, he answered the call to serve his nation, enlisting in the United States Army in November 1953.
Forrest was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he completed basic training and remained there for his advanced individual training. There, Kantner earned his designation as an Army combat engineer, mastering the technical skills required to build, repair and overcome obstacles in the most demanding environments, McDowell said.
Upon graduation, Kantner was deployed to the Korean Peninsula and assigned to the 73rd Engineer Combat Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. Following the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, the 73rd Engineers faced a monumental task, McDowell said. The battalion transitioned from active combat operations to critical post-armistice security and stabilization missions. Throughout 1954 and 1955, Kantner and his fellow engineers labored across rugged terrain, building and repairing critical roads, supply routes and tactical bridges. McDowell said their tireless efforts supported vital military mobility and laid the groundwork for local South Korean recovery efforts.
After two years of dedicated, faithful service, Kantner was honorably discharged in October 1955 with the rank of specialist second class, “which was then equivalent to a sergeant, an E-5. And, yes, shortly after we got out, we changed that. It was too complicated to understand, but that distinction and that certain rank was just newly created to recognize the advanced technical and administrative expertise,” McDowell explained.
Upon returning to Indiana, Kantner set his sights on the future. Because he arrived late in the academic year, he worked locally before officially enrolling at Purdue University the following fall. Guided by a deep passion for the field, he went on to earn his degree in agriculture. Following his graduation there, he didn’t stop, McDowell said. Kantner dedicated his life to serving the civilian population and educating the civilian young with that degree.
He taught agriculture at New Prairie High School for three years, Nappanee High School for 11 years and ultimately concluding his distinguished career at Tippecanoe Valley High School upon his retirement in 1985.
Behind every great veteran and educator is a strong family. In August 1963, Kantner married Jane Peterson, and together they raised two wonderful children, Carol and Craig.
“For his bravery in uniform, his dedication to the reconstruction of a war-torn nation, and a lifetime of service to the students and community of Indiana, please join me in honoring and thanking Forrest Kantner,” McDowell concluded.
After receiving his framed certificate, Kantner said, “Too big of a life over the last 93 years and it has been great. I appreciate everything that the community has done, I appreciate the education that I’ve had, the family that I have and currently have, they’re tremendous.”
He said it was unfortunate that his wife could not be with him as she died two years ago.
