Buckeye who gave up a national championship for the U.S. Army will join the Ohio Military Hall of Fame

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Among the 17 inductees into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame is a Buckeye who gave up the chance for a national championship to serve his country.

Henry Richard Hausman, Jr., better known as Rick Hausman, was a Hilliard standout who joined the Ohio State football team as a freshman in 1967.

The 1968 team photo shows a young Rick Hausman, number 96, who was part of the team that would eventually win the National Championship. But before the Rose Bowl, the young walk-on walked away.

Hausman, 19, joined the Army and went to boot camp instead of Pasadena.

Coach Woody Hayes gave his blessing and assured the young Buckeye that he would have a place on the team upon his return. But Rick Hausman never came home.

Seventy-one days after arriving in Vietnam, Private First Class Rick Hausman died in a firefight on May 27, 1969, while providing cover for his wounded comrades. He was one of 242 killed that week in Vietnam.

On Friday, Hausman was one of 17 inducted into the State Military Hall of Fame by the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.

“As he continued to destroy enemy bunkers with devastating, regardless barrage fire, Pfc. Hausman was mortally wounded. His fearless determination, selfless concern for his comrades and exemplary courage were instrumental in saving soldiers’ lives.”

His sisters, Bobbie Collins and Ann Lisk, accepted it on his behalf.

“To be sad, you know, to still be sad and feel honored that he fought for our country is pretty special,” Collins told WSYX.

Joining Hausman was a man who helped bring attention to his story.

Colonel Mike Kelvington created the Rick Hausman Silver Bullet Award for leadership.

After fourteen deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Kelvington oversees the Army ROTC program with Ohio State.

“It just makes the day even more special to know the type of caliber and person Rick was and to share the stage with Ann and his family who are here, it just means that much more,” said Colonel Kelvington.

Gov. Mike DeWine praised the legacy Hausman leaves behind.

“Well, when you listen to Rick Hausman’s story, it’s just absolutely incredible what he did, but also what he left. He voluntarily left school. Went in. He left a football team that became a national championship team to become a ​to make a great sacrifice, and So today we honor many different people, each of whom has a unique and different story, but each one shows great courage, and in fact I think all the stories show us that we owe a lot to so many people who sacrificed everything so that we could remain free.”

“I think we need to be reminded that there are people who gave a lot so that we could enjoy these freedoms,” said his sister Ann.

Friday was the first of several events honoring Rick Hausman. The Rick Hausman Silver Bullet Award for Leadership will be presented Saturday to the top cadet in the Ohio State ROTC program.

On Tuesday, Ohio State will award Hausman the gold pants he would have received if he had stayed with the football team in 1968.