THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF 1999
MEDAL OF HONOR
Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Childers, Army, (Broken Arrow, OK)
Born February 1, 1918, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Ernest Childers was educated locally and at Chilocco Indian School. He enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard in 1937, rising to First Sergeant with Company C, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. During World War II, he participated in major Allied campaigns in Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio, earning a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant. He later continued his Army career, retiring in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel. On September 22, 1943, near Oliveto, Italy, Childers displayed extraordinary heroism despite suffering a fractured foot. Leading a small unit up a heavily defended hill, he advanced under intense fire toward enemy machine gun positions. Acting with exceptional courage and initiative, he eliminated enemy snipers, assaulted and destroyed machine gun nests, and captured an enemy mortar observer. His decisive leadership and fearless actions broke enemy resistance and inspired his men to continue the attack. For his conspicuous gallantry, Childers became the first Native American of World War II to receive the Medal of Honor, presented in 1944 by Jacob L. Devers. His awards also include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Italian Cross of Valor, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal.
MEDAL OF HONOR
First Lieutenant Jack Montgomery, Army (Long, OK)
Born July 23, 1917, near Long in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, Jack C. Montgomery was educated in Cushing and at Chilocco Indian School, Bacone College, and the University of Redlands. He began his military service in 1934 at Citizens Military Training Camp, Fort Sill, and enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard in 1937, re-enlisting prior to World War II. Serving with the 45th Infantry Division, Montgomery saw combat in Sicily and Italy, earning a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant in 1943. On February 22, 1944, during fierce fighting in Italy, he displayed extraordinary heroism against entrenched German forces. Advancing alone under intense fire, he assaulted multiple enemy positions with rifle and grenades, killing enemy soldiers, silencing machine guns, and capturing numerous prisoners. Despite overwhelming opposition and later being seriously wounded by mortar fire, his fearless actions resulted in significant enemy losses and inspired his platoon to hold their ground. For his conspicuous gallantry, Montgomery was awarded the Medal of Honor by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. His decorations also include the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Italian Cross of Valor, and Oklahoma Distinguished Service Cross, reflecting a legacy of courage and selfless service.
MEDAL OF HONOR
Staff Sergeant John Crews, Army (Golden, OK)
Born March 8, 1923, in Golden, Oklahoma, John R. Crews was educated in Bowlegs and entered military service after being drafted in December 1942. He trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Custer, Michigan, and initially served as a military policeman, escorting German prisoners of war from Casablanca to the United States. In 1944, he joined the 63rd Infantry Division and entered combat in Europe during World War II. By April 1945, he had earned two Bronze Stars and the rank of Staff Sergeant. On April 8, 1945, during combat operations in Germany, Crews displayed extraordinary heroism when his company came under intense enemy fire from fortified positions. With his platoon leader wounded, he advanced up a heavily defended hill under devastating fire. Despite losing one comrade and another being wounded, Crews pressed forward alone, destroying a machine gun crew at close range and seizing their weapon. Though severely wounded, he continued his assault, silencing additional enemy positions and forcing the surrender of numerous enemy soldiers. His courageous actions enabled his company to advance and secure its objective. For his conspicuous gallantry, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by Harry S. Truman in 1948, along with the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
TINKER FORCE BASE
Major General Clarence Tinker, Army, (Pawhuska, OK)
Born north of Pawhuska in the Osage Nation on November 21, 1887, Clarence L. Tinker was the son of George Edward and Sarah Ann Schwagerte Tinker. His father founded the Wah-Sha-She News, Pawhuska’s first newspaper, where Tinker worked in his youth. Educated at the Osage Boarding School, Haskell Institute, and Wentworth Military Academy, he entered military service in 1908 and was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1912. Tinker served in Hawaii, where he married Madeline Doyle, and later held assignments across the United States during and after World War I. In the 1920s he joined the Army Air Service, becoming a skilled pilot and leader. He served as Assistant Military Attaché for Aviation in London, earning the Soldier’s Medal for heroism. He later commanded major flying schools and air units and held key leadership roles in the Air Corps and National Guard Bureau. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tinker was appointed commander of U.S. Army Air Forces in Hawaii, where he worked to rebuild air defenses. Promoted to major general in 1942, he was lost at sea during a mission against Japanese forces near Wake Island—the first American general killed in World War II. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In his honor, Tinker Army Air Field, now Tinker Air Force Base, was named in 1942.
ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF
General Dennis Reimer, Army (Medford, OK)
A native of Medford, Oklahoma, Dennis J. Reimer served as the 33rd Chief of Staff of the United States Army from June 20, 1995. A 1962 graduate of the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree, he was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer and later earned a Master of Science from Shippensburg State University. General Reimer’s distinguished career spanned more than three decades, with leadership roles from company to division level and key staff assignments at the Department of the Army. His commands included units at Fort Benning, Fort Carson, Fort Sill, and in Germany, culminating in command of the 4th Infantry Division and later the United States Army Forces Command. A combat veteran of the Vietnam War, he served two tours—first as an advisor to a South Vietnamese battalion and later as an artillery battalion executive officer with the 9th Infantry Division. He also served in Korea with the Combined Forces Command and held critical Pentagon assignments, including aide-de-camp to General Creighton Abrams and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans during Operation Desert Storm. His numerous decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with valor, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge, reflecting exemplary leadership and service.
NAVAL ACADEMY
Rear Admiral John Elson Kirkpatrick (Oklahoma City)
Born February 8, 1908, in Oklahoma City, John Elson Kirkpatrick graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1931. After early service aboard the USS Arizona, USS California, and USS Cincinnati, he left active duty in 1935 to attend Harvard Business School while remaining in the Naval Reserve. Recalled to active duty in 1941, Kirkpatrick served with distinction during World War II. His longest assignment was as Sky Defense Officer aboard the USS North Carolina. He later commanded the Pacific Fleet Machine Gun School and the Anti-Aircraft Training Center in Hawaii and served as Gunnery Officer on USS Alaska and Executive Officer of the USS Oklahoma City. His wartime service earned him two Bronze Stars and recognition for improving naval anti-aircraft gun sights. After the war, he continued his Naval Reserve career, advancing to Rear Admiral in 1955. Concurrently, he became a prominent Oklahoma business leader, founding Kirkpatrick Oil Company and serving in banking leadership. A dedicated philanthropist, he and his wife established the Kirkpatrick Foundation and supported numerous cultural and educational institutions across Oklahoma. He also helped preserve naval heritage within the state. Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1962, Rear Admiral Kirkpatrick exemplified distinguished military service and enduring civic leadership.