Hall of Honor Citations 2024 (Jan-June)

JANUARY 2024

Kevin Roll

Colonel Roll served our nation as a fighter pilot and commander of fighter units as well as a host of senior Air & Space staff positions. Colonel Roll was selected for flight school and the honor to become part of the highly competitive fighter aircraft community. He was the Distinguished Graduate for his Undergrad Pilot Training, Outstanding Graduate for both the F-4 Upgrade and F-16 Upgrade Training courses and was further honored by selection to and graduation from the USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course. He is a Command Pilot with more than 3800 hours in fighter aircraft as well as many hours in other aircraft to include the MIG-15. He is a graduate of Tulsa Memorial High School and U.S. Air Force Academy. Inducted January 2, 2024

Hopper Smith

BG Smith graduated from Tulsa Memorial High School and Oklahoma State University where he earned his Army commission. He served a distinguished career in the OKARNG, becoming one of the few OKARNG General Officers and serving as the Assistant Adjutant General. During his service, he commanded at the company, battalion and brigade level. Notable assignments included service as an Advisor in Afghanistan, ands the OKARNG Chief of Staff, BG Smith is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College His numerous awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster. BG Smith served as a citizen soldier the Oklahoma Legislature from 1996 -2003. 

FEBRUARY 2024

David Scott Wilson

Lieutenant Colonel David Scott Wilson is a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy who flew the F-15 Eagle and F-4 Phantom aircraft, and served as an Airborne Commander aboard the E-3 AWACS over northern Iraq and SE Turkey. Upon military retirement, LtCol Wilson has supported a host of causes serving veterans, youth, and families. He is active in the Military Order of World Wars, Air Force Association, Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame, Young Eagles Program, and other groups. He is a financial services professional, musician, teacher, and coach. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and Joint Meritorious Unit award. LtCol Wilson personifies the Spirit of a Warrior, Heart of a Patriot.  Inducted February 8, 2024

MARCH 2024

Theodore Goldenberg

Corporal Theodore Goldenberg was born in Germany in 1914 and immigrated to the United States in 1933. He was a drafted into the Army and naturalized on the same day in 1942. He trained at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, MD. The “Ritchie Boys” were an elite group of 20,000 soldiers who provided nearly 60 percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe to defeat the Nazis. In 2022, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum presented the Ritchie Boys with the Elie Wiesel Award for patriotism and service. In April 2023, CPL Goldenberg was individually honored by the Council on Holocaust Education of Jewish Federation of Tulsa. 

Joseph S. Kantor

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph S. Kantor was born in Tulsa in 1916, the son of Jewish Russian immigrants. Kantor enlisted 1941 and served with the 63rd Infantry Division through 1946. He trained at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, MD. The “Ritchie Boys” were an elite group of 20,000 soldiers who provided nearly 60 percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe to defeat the Nazis.. In 2022, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum presented the Ritchie Boys with the Elie Wiesel Award for patriotism and service. In April 2023, LTC Kantor was individually honored by the Council on Holocaust Education of Jewish Federation of Tulsa. 

Jack Katz 

Mr. Jack Katz was born in Germany in 1909, enlisted in the U.S. Army for World War II and trained at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, MD. The “Ritchie Boys” were an elite group of 20,000 soldiers who provided nearly 60 percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe to defeat the Nazis. After WWII, he returned to Stillwater and was a life member of the VFW and the American Legion. In 2022, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum presented the Ritchie Boys with the Elie Wiesel Award for their patriotism and service. In April 2023 Mr. Katz was individually honored by the Council for Holocaust Education of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa. 

Walter Katz 

Mr. Walter Katz trained as a POW interrogator. at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, MD. The “Ritchie Boys” were an elite group of 20,000 soldiers who provided nearly 60 percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe to defeat the Nazis. Walter served in France, Belgium and Germany. In post-war Germany he interviewed, vetted and arrested civilian officials who had been Nazis. In 2022, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum presented the Ritchie Boys with the Elie Wiesel Award for their patriotism and service. In April 2023 he was honored by the Council for Holocaust Education of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa. He is buried in Israel. 

Kenneth Renberg

First Lieutenant Kenneth Renberg was a member of the Oklahoma National Guard that was mobilized for WWII. He trained at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, MD. The “Ritchie Boys” were an elite group of 20,000 soldiers who provided nearly 60 percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe to defeat the Nazis. LT Renberg participated in the D-Day Invasion and was later awarded a Purple Heart. In 2022, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum presented the Ritchie Boys with the Elie Wiesel Award for their patriotism and service. LT Renberg was honored by the Council for Holocaust Education of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa in April 2023. 

Phillip Sureck

Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Sureck enlisted in 1943, and trained at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, MD. The “Ritchie Boys” provided nearly 60 percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe to defeat the Nazis. He participated in the D-Day Invasion, served with the First Infantry Division and was awarded the Bronze Star. He had post-war responsibilities vetting Nazi officers. In 2022, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum presented the Ritchie Boys with the Elie Wiesel Award for their patriotism and service. In April 2023 LTC Sureck was honored by the Council for Holocaust Education of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa. 

Ritchie Boys

Six Oklahoma Jewish Ritchie Boys trained in espionage and intelligence operations at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, MD. The “Ritchie Boys” were 20,000 soldiers, (2,000 were Jewish German speakers) who provided nearly 60 percent of the credible intelligence gathered in Europe to defeat the Nazis. They performed a variety of duties including being POW interrogators. These six men were: Joseph Kantor, Walter Katz, Jack Katz, Theodore Goldenberg, Kenneth Renberg and Phillip Sureck. They were recognized in 2022 by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum with the Elie Wiesel Award for patriotism and service. Each was recognized in April 2023 by Tulsa’s Council for Holocaust Education in a menora lighting ceremony. 

APRIL 2024

Ben Miller

Joseph “Ben” Miller (PFC) was a 19 year old soldier assigned to the 307th Airborne Medical Company and flew with the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He was in the first wave to land in Normandy behind the Pathfinders at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. While Allied forces pushed the Nazis back into Germany, Miller carried no weapons. He was a medic. His job was to move the injured away from fields of battle to staging areas, often a mile from the front lines. He served at Ste-Mère-Eglise; at the bridge in Nijmegen in Nazi-occupied Holland; and in the Battle of the Bulge. At Wöbbelin concentration camp, he helped free prisoners near the city of Ludwigslust in Germany as the Nazis surrendered. Each year, he travels with fellow veterans to visit the battlefields around Normandy.  Inducted April 3, 2024.

Robert Cox

COL Robert S. Cox graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1965 as an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned an Artillery Second Lieutenant. He was trained as a Field Artilleryman and completed Airborne and Ranger schools. He graduated from Army flight training and was rated to fly both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. He flew as a reconnaissance pilot during two separate tours in Vietnam. During his 27-year career, he commanded two field artillery batteries, two aviation platoons and served in numerous staff positions. Much of his career was dedicated to teaching and training, including a master’s degree program at the Army Command and General Staff College. In his final active-duty assignment, he was the National Director of Training & Education for the nationwide network of over 2,000 Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Programs (ROTC and JROTC).  Inducted April 23, 2024.

Michael Thompson

MG Michael C. Thompson served as a Major General in the United States Army National Guard and was the 21st Adjutant General of Oklahoma from 2017 to 2021. He previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security in the Governor’s Cabinet and was responsible for directing all state public safety, law enforcement and corrections agencies. In 2012, Thompson was named a Council of State Governments’ Henry Toll Fellow honoree. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge. MG Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Langston University, and a Master of Science from Oklahoma State University.  Inducted April 23, 2024.

Charles Schwabe

LTC Charles Leroy Schwabe graduated from OSU in 1965 as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, first as an advisor to Vietnamese military units and then as an infantry company commander in the 82nd Airborne Division. During a break in his active duty, he earned a law degree and was a business law professor at the OSU College of Business. He returned to Army active duty as a Judge Advocate officer. Following retirement from the Army in 1988, he served in various legal and judicial capacities including as US Magistrate for Altus Air Force Base. His awards include the Air Medal with V Device, three Bronze Star Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. His autobiography, Fading Away: An Aging Vietnam Infantry Veteran’s Remembrances, was published in 2014.   Inducted April 23, 2024.

Ross Hall

COL Ross W. Hall was known in the early 1930s Oklahoma A&M College football team as “Plowboy Hall” because he was famous for “plowing” through the opposing team’s defensive line as a running back. He was commissioned through Army ROTC as an Infantry Second Lieutenant. As with most reserve officers commissioned between the two World Wars, he was assigned to an Army Reserve Division, completing correspondence courses until he was called to active duty in 1940, first in the 2nd Infantry Division and then as a Captain organizing the newly formed 95th Infantry Division. After two years of intensive training, he arrived in France with his Division following the D-Day invasion and became part of Patton’s 3rd Army. In November of 1944, he commanded a battalion of the 377th Infantry Regiment during the liberation of Metz, France, attacking a portion of the German occupied Maginot Line. After the war he joined the 95th Division as part of the Organized Reserves, serving through various positions to include Assistant Division Commander. In civilian life, he worked for OSU’s Agriculture Extension Department until his retirement. His awards include the Silver Star and the World War II Victory Medal. Inducted April 23, 2024.

MAY 2024

James Wilhite

Colonel James W. Wilhite served a combined 37 years in the active Army and Reserves. He served as an enlisted soldier for 12 years, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his enlisted service he earned Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in Education Administration and was twice selected as the 95th Division Drill Sergeant of the Year. He received a direct commission as a First Lieutenant, later serving as a Liaison Officer for West Point. While teaching at Northeastern State (OK) University, he was selected to build the National Military Academy of Afghanistan based upon the West Point model. COL Wilhite authored a book about the experience, earned a Bronze Star for his achievement, received the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor as well as the Centurian Medal from Northeastern State University. Several countries have used his book as a model to create their own academies. In 2012, he co-founded the Veterans Film Festival in Branson, Missouri. The Festival has shared documentary films with over 10,000 attendees. In retirement, he is active with the Military Order of World Wars, the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation, the 95th Division Legacy Association, and the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. Inducted May 18, 2024.

MEMORIAL DAY 2024

Jack Toney

Staff Sergeant Jack Toney served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded three Purple Hearts in his first six months duty, thus qualifying him to return home early. Yet he chose to stay with his unit, and complete his full tour of duty. He was promoted from an E-1 to an E-6 within a period of six months and earned two Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with a Silver Star. He returned to Hennessey, OK upon discharge to work as a self- employed welder, and later became a welding inspector for Dow Chemical. He commissioned a field memorial statue which was placed in several veterans parks in Colorado and maintains the four acre VFW veterans park in Crescent. He was the recipient of a Quilt of Honor in 2023, and selected as the 2024 Enid Army Legacy Veteran of the Year. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Earl Mabry

Dr. Earl Mabry has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation for membership into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Honor. He attended the New Mexico Military Institute and upon graduation, he was assigned duty with the 45th Infantry to guard President Roosevelt’s train during stops in Oklahoma. After completing dental school, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the US Navy. During WWII he commanded a dental clinic at the Naval Station Treasure Island, an auxiliary air facility for airships, blimps, planes and seaplanes. During WWII over 12,000 men a day were processed there for the Pacific theater. Following WWII, he was called back to service by the US Air Force. He practiced dentistry in Enid for over 50 years and served in many non-profit leadership positions. He was the recpient of a Quilt of Honor in February 2024. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

John J. Culbertson

Sergeant John J. Culbertson has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation for membership into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Honor. He is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who served as a Marine sniper. Culbertson was assigned to Hotel Company, 2/5, 1st Marine Division at An Hoa, from December 1966 to July 1967. Sniper teams were at the cutting edge in the art of jungle warfare, showing the patience, stealth, combat marksmanship, and raw courage that made his unit the most decorated regimental sniper platoon in the Vietnam War. Culbertson earned three purple hearts and numerous other awards during his military career. He is the author of “Operation Tuscaloosa” and “A Sniper in Arizona”. Culbertson’s great-grandfather, also named John J. Culbertson, donated the land upon which the Oklahoma State Capitol was built. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.
 

Gean Atkinson

CAPT Gean B. Atkinson has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation for membership into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Honor. He is a 7th generation Oklahoman who has served at the highest levels of military commands in the US, Europe and Asia. Following a tour of duty in Vietnam as a Marine, he transferred to the Navy as a Public Affairs Officer. As a Navy Captain, he was assigned as station director of the Joint Information Bureau of the United Arab Emirates during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He has served in the Oklahoma Legislature and the Office of the Governor.  Atkinson has been corporate communications director for Express Personnel Services and a journalism instructor at the University of Central Oklahoma where he earned two journalism degrees. He is member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.
 

Lloyd G. Neblett

Colonel Lloyd George Neblett was born in Texarkana, AR March 17, 1919. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940. Before going operational, Germany declared war on the United States and he returned to the US and joined the Army Air Corps. In August 1943 he became Executive Officer 301st Troop Carrier Squadron and prepared for deployment to Europe. In April 1944 Lloyd was promoted to Captain and given command of the squadron which he commanded throughout the war. In addition to their direct combat missions the squadron dropping paratroopers and towing gliders to Normandy, Holland, Bastogne and Rhine crossing. Captain Neblett was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the French Croix De Guerre. In July 1945 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was honorably discharged on January 10, 1946. He remained active in the USAAF Reserves until his retirement as Colonel on March 17, 1977. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Harold Congdon

Shipfitter Third Class (Welder) Harold Congdon was born in Covington, Oklahoma on February 15, 1927. He enlisted in the United States Navy on his 18th birthday, was assigned to the 1st Special Seabees and deployed overseas into the WWII Pacific Theater. Harold was stationed on Saipan until August 1945 and then assigned to the initial occupation forces in Japan. He received an honorable discharge on March 24, 1946 and joined the US Naval Reserve. Harold then graduated from Marshall (OK) High School and moved to Enid to operate his own welding service. He retired to the Terlton area in 1982 and became active in the veterans community. He was a member of Mannford’s VFW Post 4771 and served with the 5th District Rifle Squad Honor Guard performing 1,652 military funeral services for veterans. Harold was a member of the Keystone Crossroads Historical Society and played Taps at its annual Veteran’s Appreciation event until his death on December 14, 2023. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Walter Young

Captain Walter Roland (Waddy) Young was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma in 1916. He played college football at University of Oklahoma and was recognized as the first Sooner All American in 1938. He led the Sooners to their first ever bowl game (1939 Orange Bowl), and was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers professional football team in 1939. Two years later he voluntarily left the Dodgers to join the Army Air Corps and trained in Tulsa at Spartan, graduating as a pilot in August 1941. Flying B-24 Liberator Atlantic anti-submarine patrols, he completed the 25-mission tour before re-signing to the Pacific, flying B-29s. When returning from a January 9, 1945 mission bombing the Nakajima Aircraft Engine Factory, his airplane was last seen descending to provide cover for another being attacked by the numerous enemy aircraft. His airplane and crew were never found He was listed as missing in action and officially killed in action in January 1945. Young was inducted posthumously into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986, and received the Robert Kalsu Freedom Award from the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. The University of Oklahoma Air Force ROTC Arnold Air Society squadron and Silver Wings chapter is named in honor of Waddy Young. Captain Young was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and four Air Medals.  Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Alva (Gene) Gordon

Corporal Alva Eugene Gordon was born in Bixby, OK on January 29, 1926, and moved to Mannford in 1939. At age seventeen, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and served as a rifleman in the WWII Pacific Theater. As a Corporal Gordon’s units secured Tinan and Saipan Islands as bases for the B-29 air assults on Japan that ended WWII Paciic war. He then served in the Japan Occupation Forces in Nagasaki prior to his honorable discharge in April, 1946. Gene lived the remainder of his life in Mannford and gave a great deal to this community. He served on the School Board, helped to build the Mannford VFW 4771 and Mannford Museum as well as the Mannford Area Veterans Monument. He worked tirelessly on the Board of Directors for the Oak Hill Cemetery, was the Commander of the American Legion Post, was a member of District 5 Rifle Squad, a Lifetime Member of the Keystone Crossroads Historical Society. Gene Gordon was recognized as the 1999 Mannford Area Citizen of the Year. Gene passed away on October 28th 2019. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Howard Byrom

Howard James Byrom was born on March 22, 1916 in Blackburn, OK. He was one of seven brothers who entered military service. Howard grew up in rural Pawnee County working on farmland until the Depression and Dust Bowl made it impossible to support a family. In March 1942 he enlisted in the US Army at Fort Sill, OK and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant while assigned to the 357th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Infrantry Division. The division deployed to England to begin preparations for the Normancy Invasion. The 90th Division landed on Normandy beaches on June 8, 1944 and set off towards their objective in the vicinity of Loutres. The following day the unit advanced in order to expand the beachhead but the hedgerows, snipers and fanatical resistance made it hard going, where closing a 200-yard gap took a day. On June 13th 1944 while attacking towards Gourbesville, Howard was killed in action. He was originally interred  at Sainte Mère Eglise, France and now permanently rests in the Blackburn (OK) cemetery. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

John Hughes

LT John Edwin (Jack) Hughes was born in Checotah, McIntosh County, before moving to moving to Mannford, OK. He was a member of the Muskogee Creek Nation. In 1941 Jack went to work for the War Department in Alabama at Brockley Field, Mobile, AL. It was from here that he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in February 1942. Following his pilot training he was deployed to England in January 1944 and joined the 359th Fighter Group’s 369th Fighter Squadron based at East Wretham. Jack flew P-51 Mustangs in support of bombing operations acting as escort and protection for aircraft bombing oil refineries and factories in cities such as Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Berlin. On June 6, 1944 he supported the D-Day landings by strafing bridges, locomotives and rail lines in France. He failed to return from a mission on September 12, 1944 and was listed as MIA. His destroyed plane was later discovered near Gross-Lueben, Germany.  Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Herchel Palmer 

LT Herchel E. Palmer was born in Owasso, OK on July 30, 1923. His family moved to moved to Keystone and then Mannford because of his father’s oil field work. He graduated Mannford High School Class of 1941 and enrolled at Oklahoma A&M before joining the Army Air Corps on November 2, 1942. He began pilot training, receiving his wings at Yuma Arizona in September 1943. On April 8, 1944 he deployed overseas to England joining the 585th Bombardment Squadron operating B-26 Marauders. Initially based at RAF Boreham, the squadron moved to RAF Holmsley to better support the Normandy invasion. Their missions were aimed at the destruction of infrastructure and targets included German V-weapons, airdromes, marshalling yards, gun emplacements and and bridges. On D-day he bombed the enemy behind Utah Beach. On December2, 1944 while on a mission to bomb the steel works at Saarlautern, Germany, his aircraft was seen to crash near Guise, France killing all onboard.  Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Donald Tattersall

LT Donald Wayne Tattersall was born in Oilton, Oklahoma in 1921, and graduated from Oilton High School in 1940. He volunteered to join the US Army in October 1940 and following training he was shipping out to the Philippines via Hawaii when the Japanese attacked the island on December 7, 1941. His ship returned to the USA and Donald changed plans and joined the Army Air Corps, completing his flight training at Roswell, New Mexico in July 1943. He was assigned to the European Theater and became a B-17 pilot with the 369th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. On January 11th, 1944, he participated in the squadron’s attack on the Junkers factory at Halberstadt, Germany. Extensive cloud cover had resulted in the recall of two of the three bombardment divisions involved in the mission and made the rendezvous of the fighter groups scheduled to provide cover in the target area difficult. Tattershall’s plane was attacked and became one of sixty lost that day after the aircraft’s tail detached killing all aboard. He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf cluster.  Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Carl Bellis

LT Carl Eugene Bellis as born in Lenapah, Oklahoma and was raised in the Mannford area. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in April 1941, and was assigned to Kelly Field in San Antonio, TX for basic training, then attended flight school and graduated in September 1942. He was assigned to North Africa where he joined the 52nd Fighter Group in Algeria. His squadron was one of two in the North African theater that flew the British Spitfire fighter. In May 1943, the 52nd Group was repositioned near Palermo, Italy. By this time Bellis was flying a P-51. He flew 91 combat missions in North Africa and Italy and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in August, 1944, and returned to the United States where he taught in flight school in Florida. He was discharged after the war in October, 1945, and rejoined the service in January 1946. After serving in the Air Force for another 15 years, he retired in 1961. Upon retirement, he moved to Beaufort, SC, where he lived until his passing in 2007.  Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Earl Hatfield

Sergeant Earl G. Hatfield was born October 11, 1924 in Keystone, Oklahoma. He graduated from Cleveland High School, enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April 1943, and was assigned to the 358th Bombardment Squadron as a Radio Operator/Gunner. He joined the squadron in Molesworth, England and immediately joined the 303rd Bombardment Group known as the Hell’s Angels. In 1943, the group began flying missions into Germany, participating in the first attack by American heavy bombers on a target inside Germany. He was a crew member on a B-17 Flying Fortress with orders to attack German targets in Osnabruck, Cologne, Dresden and Wesseling. On his 20th birthday in 1944, SGT Hatfield was completing his 7th mission to destroy synthetic oil plants at Wesseling, Germany. His plane was at 25,000 feet when hit by German flak and 15,000 feet the aircraft exploded killing all onboard. SGT Hatfield’s body was originally interred at Hoffnungstal, Wahn, Germany. He was repatriated and buried in Silver City, (Creek County), Oklahoma in 1948. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

Fred Lang

Fred Miles Lang was born in Keystone, Pawnee County, Oklahoma on May 1,1928. He graduated from Keystone High School and enrolled in Oklahoma A&M University where he was recognized as a Distinguished ROTC Honor Student, rising to the rank of ROTC Lieutenant Colonel. On August 7th 1950 he enlisted in the US Army and trained at Fort Jackson, SC, Camp Carson, CO, and the Airborne Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA. LT Lang was deployed to Korea with 5th Infantry Regimental Combat Team and distinguished himself as the North Korean forces were pushed back northward. In April 1951 Chinese backed reinforcements counterattacked in strength and cut off his unit at Kome-Ri. Ordered to withdraw, the mortally wounded 2LT Lang ordered his men to leave him and withdraw. For this selfless act to save his men, Second Lieutenant Fred M. Lang was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. In addition to the Combat Infantryman Badge, he was awarded seven additional decorations. Inducted Memorial Day 2024.

JUNE 2024

JULY 2024

AUGUST 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

Dorothy Allen

Seaman First Class Dorothy Jane Allen joined the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during World War II. She attended initial training at Hunter College, New York, and then worked for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery as a general office clerk managing key punch data. She served at the Naval Training Station in the Bronx, New York, and the Naval Barracks in Washington, DC.  After the war, she married Army veteran Gene Allen and became a mother and homemaker. As she moved with her family, she often worked as an admissions clerk and nurse assistant in area nursing homes. In addition, she volunteered countless time to design quilts to support veterans organizations. Allen currently lives in Wellston, Oklahoma, and is the mother of six, the grandmother of twelve, the great-grandmother of eighteen, and the great-great-grandmother of four children. She celebrated her 100th birthday September 9, 2024. Inducted September 14, 2024.

Kenneth Cook

Kenneth Harold Cook served in the United States Army during the Cold War. He was stationed with the 51st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, TX.  Kenneth served as a Track Vehicle Mechanic was also a Commander of a M88 Track Recovery Vehicle during his last year of service. He separated as a Specialist Fifth Class. Kenneth is one of the longest serving members of the Oklahoma Military History Center in Broken Arrow. He has served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer and developed and implemented the current accounting system. He is a current member of the Scholarship Committee. He has contributed significantly in the development of policy and procedures for the OKMHC. Ken created the MHM (now OKMHC) newsletter in November 2013. This newsletter is distributed to over 3,500 recipients monthly and contains information about OKMHC artifacts, current and future events of the OKMHC and historical stories. Through June 2024, he has produced over 108 newsletters. Inducted September 26, 2024.

Michael Coon

SP4 Michael Dennis Coon joined the Army on February 26, 1971. He was selected to serve on the General Staff at Ft Bragg with an assignment in the G2 Intelligence Branch. He deployed to Greece in 1973 to assist with the airborne training of the Greek Army. He was discharged on 14 December 1973. His highly decorated son served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, developed PTSD, and took his own life in 2015. Since then, Michael became involved in an organization called Mission 22. This organization constructed 22 silhouettes of soldiers that lost their lives due to PTSD.  One of the selected silhouettes was of a soldier with minesweeping equipment. The silhouette represented Michael’s son who was a minesweeper in Afghanistan.  Michael was selected to be the guardian of the Memorial. Due to his energetic efforts, the City of Broken Arrow provided a home for the silhouettes in its Veterans Park. These silhouettes provide a poignant reminder of the effects of PTSD on both individuals and families.  Inducted September 26, 2024.

Dennis Hoch

Dennis Blaine Hoch has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation for membership into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Honor. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 20 June 1967, served on the super carrier USS Kitty Hawk, and was then reassigned to lead the Structural Fire Department in Phu Bai, Vietnam. He participated in the month long Battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive in January 1968. This battle is widely considered to be one of the toughest and intense urban battles ever fought. Dennis left active service in March 1971. He served an additional ten years in the U.S. Navy Reserve achieving the rank of  Petty Officer Third Class. Dennis became a docent at the Oklahoma Military History Center in 2015 and the lead docent in 2016. In addition to docent functions, he assists with many other OKMHC community functions, and is a regular musical performer at OKMHC events. During his service at OKMHC, Dennis has accumulated an extraordinary 12,000 volunteer hours. Inducted September 26, 2024.

Johnnie Parks

SP4 Johnnie Dewayne Parks entered United States Army on 19 Nov 1969. During his training he was selected for assignment to the “Old Guard”, the Army’s cermonial unit at Fort Myers, VA and Arlington National Cemetery. His duty assignment was to the United States Army Casket Bearers. He participated in over 300 funerals at Arlington and performed ceremonial duties at the White House. After being released from active duty, he was assigned to the Reserves and participated with the local Broken Arrow National Guard unit for summer camp at Fort Carson, CO. Johnnie has provided over 42 years of volunteer community service in Broken Arrow. During these years he was instrumental in the creation of five major projects honoring veterans. They were the Oklahoma Military History Center, the Armed Forces Center, Veterans Park, Mission 22 Statues and the creation of a bronze statue that recognizes the soldiers of the Korean War. Inducted September 26, 2024.

Mitchell Reed

Specialist Fourth Class Mitchell John Reed joined the United States Army on 19 September 1967 and honorably discharged on 31 July 1969. He served in Vietnam as an Armored Personnel Carrier Driver with the 25th Infantry Division. He earned the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge and two Purple Hearts. His first Purple Heart was a result of wounds received when his APC detonated a mine; and the second was earned on 22 February 1969 during the Tet Offensive. Mitch retired from the United States Post Office and became interested in the Purple Heart Association. He developed the Purple Heart City program and began to implement it within the state of Oklahoma. Due to his untiring efforts, he established over 100 Purple Heart cities within the State of Oklahoma. Mitch has been selected to be the Purple Heart Association Senior Vice Commander for the State of Oklahoma. Inducted September 26, 2024.

Mark Segovia

COL Mark Leonard Segovia enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983 as a Supply Specialist and was later commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1987. After completing Officer Basic Course, he was assigned as a Battery XO with the 1/89th FA Regiment, 402nd Bde 95th Division. He served in other various staff positions until mobilized for overseas duty in Afghanistan in 2004 where he served as the S-5 for the 10th Mountain Division and the 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. He retired from the 3rd BDE 75th Training Command at Fort Sill, OK as a Branch Commander on 1 Aug 2017.  Mark was a Member of the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Military History Center; is the Military Outreach Director for the Oklahoma Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve; and is the President of the Green Country Military Officers of America Association. Mark and his wife Alta continue to serve veterans throughout Oklahoma.  Inducted September 26, 2024.

William Shotwell

Staff Sergeant William Thomas Shotwell enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard on 31 March 1965. He attended basic training at Fort Jackson, SC , Advanced Individual Training at Fort Ord, CA, and additional training at Fort Knox, KY. He served as a Full Time Technician in the New Jersey National Guard from 1969 to 1979, completed 14 years of service and retired as a Staff Sergeant E6. William is an experienced volunteer. He served as a volunteer fireman in his hometown in New Jersey for 15 years, and was selected as the Oklahoma nominee for the 2024 Elks Veteran Volunteer of the Year Award. He has been a member of the Veterans Committee of the Tulsa Elks Lodge #946 since he joined the lodge in 2018. William coordinates the Elks participation in the Tulsa Veterans Day Parade and the annual Veterans Golf Tournament. He plans and executes the placement of American Flags around the Lodge and directly helps with actions that recruit new veterans to the Lodge. His commitment to serving veterans is extraordinary.  Inducted September 26, 2024.

Yvonne Woodfin

Yvonne Woodfin graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She retired in 2021 after a long career serving the needs of Tulsa’s homeless population including veterans in need of mental health services. Yvonne joined the Tulsa Elks Lodge in 2018 and immediately became involved in veteran’s activities. She has served as the Veterans Chair for the Veteran’s Committee since 2019, and is the Grant Coordinator for 2023 through 2025. IN 2023-2024, Yvonne was selected as the Elk of the Year for Northeast Oklahoma. Her efforts resulted in the awarding of over $15,000 in grants to various veteran organizations. This included a veterans only grant of $2,500 to the Coffee Bunker and a $3,000 Grant to HUD VASH (Veterans Administration Supportive Housing). Under her leadership and the hard work and dedication of the Veterans Committee, the Tulsa Elks Lodge has been instrumental in providing major support and assistance to area veterans, their families and veterans organizations. Inducted September 26, 2024.

OCTOBER 2024

NOVEMBER 2024

WWII Men of Cascia Hall

Many Cascia Hall graduates are proud military veterans. Three Cascia Hall graduates made the ultimate sacrifice in service for their nation during World War II. They were: Marine First Lieutenant John F. Burke, Army Air Forces Second Lieutenant William F. Connelley, and Army Air Forces Technical Sergeant Emmett H. Daly, Jr. 1st Lt Burke was awarded the Silver Star for his gallantry in action. He was killed in action on March 3, 1945 at Iwo Jima and his body never recovered. He is remembered at the Courts of the Missing in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. 2LT Connelley was declared missing in action on October 29, 1944 in the European Theater. He is memorialized in the Florence (Italy) American Cemetery. T/Sgt Sergeant Daly is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa. All three men received Purple Hearts. These men shall always be remembered by the Cascia Hall family for their remarkble service when their nation called.

Joseph Lauinger

1LT Joseph Mark Lauinger today joins the Oklahoma Military Hall of Honor. Joe volunteered for the U.S. Army upon graduation from Georgetown University in 1967, was commissioned an officer, and deployed to Vietnam, serving in the 1/69th Armor, Fourth Infantry Division. He was killed in combat on January 8, 1970, leading his Scout Platoon in battle in Bình Dinh Province, Vietnam. Among other honors, he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. The youngest of seven children, Joe felt very grateful to live in a country where we are free. He loved God, his family, his friends. He greatly loved Cascia Hall. Georgetown University, in naming its campus library the Joseph Mark Lauinger Memorial Library, declared it “reflects a tradition of dedication and devotion to Georgetown, to our Church, and to mankind. It provides the entire Georgetown community with a perpetual reminder of devoted service and supreme sacrifice.” Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

John David Benien

Captain John David Benien attended OU from 1960 to 1964, was a football letterman, and was commissioned an Army Second Lieutenant. John graduated from Law School at University of Tulsa Law School in 1967. Later the following year he was called to active duty and served as a military advisor in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam. On February 13th 1969 in Da Lat South Viet Nam, Captain Benien was killed in action. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor, Combat Infantryman badge, and the Purple Heart. Thoughout John’s life, he always put God first, the other guy second and himself third. General William Westmoreland wrote, “The priceless gift of life is the noblest one a soldier can make to protect his loved ones at home, and to safeguard the cherished beliefs for which his nation stands. Captain John Benien was known as a man of great character, but because his life ended far too early, his family would never witness the contributions he would have most certainly made to his community.”  Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Ramonah Davis

Ramonah Davis was born, in 1961, at Fort Defiance, AZ and is a member of the Navajo Nation. She has lived in Lawton, OK since 2000. She served in the Army from 1983-00 earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. SSG Davis completed Airborne School in 1992 at age thirty. She is one of the first Native American females to complete Airborne School. During her service she made fifty-two qualified jumps. She completed three overseas tours in Germany and concluded her service with the 528th Special Operations Support Group Command and 82nd Airborne Division both at Fort Bragg, NC. Her awards include the Parachutists Badge, Army Commendation (3), Army Achievement (6), Good Conduct (5) and National Defense Service medals, NCOPD w/Numeral 2, Overseas Service w/Numeral 3 and Army Service ribbons, the Army Lapel Button and Army Superior Unit Award. She has been a member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association since 2018. 

Lyman Guy

Lyman Bruce Guy was born in1948 in Fort Cobb, OK. He is an enrolled member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and of Comanche and Caddo Indian descent. He was also adopted into his wife’s Tlingit Tribe and given the name of Wolf Warrior, SP4 Guy served in the Army from 1970-71 earning the rank of Specialist 4. He served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). His unit was the last combat unit to depart Vietnam. His awards include the Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman and Expert Qualification with/Machine Gun Bar Badges, Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service with/2 Service Stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with/Palm and Vietnam Campaign with/1960 Device medals. After his military service he retired from the USPHS and served as Chairman of the Apache Tribe. He has been a member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association since May 2019. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Jonathan George 

Jonathan George was born in Bedford, IN in 1957. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation and the great-great grandson of the last Chief of the Comanches, Quanah Parker. He attended elementary schools in Lawton, OK. Brig Gen George served in the Air Force from 1981-2011 and is the only Comanche to earn General Officer status retiring as a Brigadier General. He is a Command Pilot with over 4,000 flying hours in strike, recon and training aircraft. On 4 May 1986 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a U-2 pilot. Brig Gen George served as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the US & NATO forces in Afghanistan. In addition to the DFC other decorations include the Defense Superior Service, Legion of Merit (4) and Bronze Star medals and many other awards and badges. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

John McClung

John Bennett McClung was born in 1967 in Lawton, OK. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. SFC McClung served on active duty in the Army from 1988-93 and the OK Army National Guard from 1993-97 and 2007-19. He is one of three Comanche veterans to serve in three wars - the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. During the Gulf War he fought in the largest ground battle of the war, the Battle of 73 Easting. He is the only Comanche awarded both the Army Combat Action Badge and Navy/Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon. Other awards include Bronze Star, Army Commendation (2), Army Achievement (4), Southwest Asia Service w/Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign w/2 Campaign Stars, Afghanistan Campaign w/Campaign Star and many other service medals and ribbons. He has been member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association since 2017 serving two terms as their Vice Commander. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Cynthia Patterson

Cynthia D. Patterson was born in 1964 in Lake City, FL and has lived in Apache, OK since 2015. She retired from the Navy after serving from 1985 - 2015 (15 days shy of 30 years) earning the rank Command Master Chief Petty Office (E9). Her service includes combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is a graduate of the US Army Sergeants Major Academy. Her awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service (2), Navy Commendation (6), Joint Service Achievement, Navy Achievement (4), Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign, Outstanding Volunteer Service medals and many other service medals and ribbons, the Enlisted Aviation and Surface Warfare Specialist and Information Dominance Warfare insignias. She served aboard the USS Arthur W. Radford (DD-968), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Independence (LCS-2). She completed her military service with the Strategic Communication Wing ONE/Task Force 124 at Tinker Naval Air Station, OK. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Frankie Patterson

Frankie Patterson was born in 1973 in Lawton, OK. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. SSG Patterson retired from the Army after serving from 1994-2016. He completed six combat deployments, for 42 months, in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 1st Armored, 1st Infantry, 2nd Infantry, 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne Divisions. SSG Patterson also served in Korea and Bosnia. His awards include Combat Infantryman, Drill Sergeant ID and Air Assault Badges, the Jungle Expert patch, Bronze Star, Army Commendation (5), Army Achievement (8), Good Conduct (7), National Defense Service (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary, Afghanistan Campaign with/1 Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign with/3 Campaign Stars, GWOT Expeditionary and Service, Korean Defense Service, Armed Forces and NATO medals and the Army Service, Overseas Service w/numeral 3 and NCOPD w/numeral 2 ribbons. He has been a member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association since 2018 serving as their Vice Commander. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

James Patterson

James M. “Jimmy” Patterson Jr. was born in 1966 in Lawton, OK and currently resides in Apache, OK. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. He retired from the Navy after serving from 1988 - 2008 earning the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer (E8). His combat deployments include Kuwait during the Iraq War in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2007-08. His awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Defense Meritorious Service, Joint Service Commendation (2), Navy Commendation (5), Navy Achievement (5), Good Conduct (5), National Defense Service (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service, Humanitarian Service and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service medals, Sea Service Deployment and USN/USMC Service ribbons, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious, Meritorious Unit and Navy Unit Commendations and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist badge. He concluded his military service as a Senior Chief Storekeeper. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Dominic Pawlowski

Dominic Pawlowski was born in Lawton OK in 1976 and lives in Indiahoma, OK. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. He served in the Marine Corps from 1992-96 earning the rank of Corporal – his service includes a tour of duty in Japan. He retired, as a Sergeant First Class, from the OK Army National Guard, as a Active Guard Reservists, after serving from 1997-17. SFC Pawlowski deployed to Iraq in 2007. His awards include the Meritorious Service (3), Army Commendation (4), Army Achievement (4), Good Conduct (3), USMC Good Conduct, Army Reserve Component Achievement (2), Nation Defense Service, Iraq Campaign w/Campaign Star, GWOT Service, Humanitarian Service and Armed Forces Mobilization with/M Device medals the NCOPD w/Numeral 3, Overseas Service w/Numeral 2 and Army Service ribbons. SFC Pawlowski has been a member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association since 2016 and served as their Secretary. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Kevin Pohawpatchoko

Kevin Pohawpatchoko was born in 1961 at Fort Riley, KS. His Oklahoma roots are Cache, OK where is currently resides. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. He served on active duty with the Navy from 1986-95 and the Naval Reserve 1995-2008 retiring as a Quartermaster First Class. QM1C Pohawpatchoko participated in operations Praying Mantis (Iran), Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). He is one of only three Comanches awarded the Combat Action Ribbon twice. Other awards include the Navy Achievement, Good Conduct (2), Naval Reserve Service (3), Armed Forces Reserve w/Hourglass, National Defense Service (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Service (2) and Volunteer Service medals. QM1C Pohawpatchoko has been a member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association since 2006 and has served as their Commander three times, Vice-Commander, Treasurer and Advisor. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

William Red Elk

William Clifford Red Elk was born in 1949 in Lawton, OK. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. He served in the Army from 1969-1970 earning the rank of Specialists Four. SP4 Red Elk served in Vietnam for thirteen months from October 1969 to November 1970 with the 25th Infantry Division as an Infantryman. His awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation, Air medal, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, w/4 Campaign Stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with/Palm and Vietnam Campaign with/1960 Device medals. After his military service he retired as a fire fighter with the Lawton, OK Fire Department. He has been a member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association (CIVA) since 2016. As a member of the CIVA he served as their Sergeant at Arms for six years and is also the designated bugler for military funerals. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Michael Squire 

Michael R. Squire Jr. was born in 1967 in Flagstaff, AZ. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. He has resided in Elgin, OK since 2013. He retired from the Army after serving from 1986-92 and 1994-2013 as a Sergeant First Class. SFC Squire was a member of the Special Forces. Deployments included Iraq, Afghanistan, SE Asia and North Korea. He earned the Combat Medical and US, Korean, Thailand, Canadian, Philippine and Australian Parachutists Badges, Bronze Star (2), Meritorious Service (2), Army Commendation (3), Army Achievement (9), Good Conduct (7), National Defense Service, Korean Defense Service, Afghanistan Campaign w/4 Campaign Stars, GWOT Service and Expeditionary, Humanitarian Service (2), NATO and Multinational Force and Observer medals, Joint Meritorious, Meritorious and Philippine Presidential Unit Citations and the Army Service, Overseas Service and NCOPD w/Numeral 3 ribbons. He has been a member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association since 2015. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Clifford Takawana

Clifford Knox Takawana was born in 1946 in Lawton, OK and is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. He served in the Navy from 1968-1972 earning the rank of Signalman Second Class. He served aboard the USS Mispillion (AO - 105) for the duration of his naval service. S2C Takawana completed three Western Pacific deployments including Yankee Station off the coast of Vietnam. He was awarded nine Vietnam Service campaign stars. Other awards include the Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Korean Defense Service, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with/Palm and Vietnam Campaign with/1960 Device. After his discharge he retired as the Associate National Director with the Boy Scouts of America. In 2012 he became a member of the Comanche Indian Association (CIVA) serving three terms as the Secretary. In 2018 he also became a member of the Kiowa, Comanche and Apache (KCA) Veterans Association representing the Comanche Nation. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Roger Tehauno

Roger V. Tehauno was born in 1944 in Lawton, OK. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. Sgt Tehauno served in the Air Force from 1965-1969 earning the rank of Sergeant. He served with the 432nd Security Police Squadron at Udorn Air Base, Thailand as a Security Policeman during the Vietnam War from 1968-69. His duties at Udorn AB include providing security for the Air Base and recovery of downed US Aircraft. Sgt Tehauno’s awards include the Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service with/4 Campaign stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with/Palm and the the Vietnam Campaign with/1960 Device medals. After his military service he retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He has been a member of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association since 2014 and has served as the Commander, Historian, Public Information Officer and photographer.  Inducted Veterans Day 2024.

Michael Waddle

Michael Waddle was born in 1947 in Phoenix AZ. He is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation with roots in Apache, OK. He served in the Army from 1966-1969 earning the rank of First Lieutenant. 1LT Waddle served in Vietnam with 82nd Airborne Division from 1968-69. On 26 August 1969 he was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action. Other awards include the Combat Infantryman and Parachutists Badges, Bronze Star with/Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service with/Silver Campaign Star, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with/Palm and Vietnam Campaign with/1960 Device medals. He is one of only thirty Comanche veterans to be decorated for Gallantry, Heroism, Bravery or Valor or have fought and killed the enemy in hand to hand combat. 1LT Waddle was given the honorary title of Numu Pukutsi (Crazy Dog Soldier) by the Comanche Indian Veterans Association. Inducted Veterans Day 2024.
 

DECEMBER 2024