CLASS OF 2000
MEDAL OF HONOR
Captain Riley Pitts, Army, (Fallis)
In 1968, Riley L. Pitts of Fallis, Oklahoma, became the first African American officer to receive the Medal of Honorposthumously. A career soldier in the United States Army, he served as company commander, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. His citation stems from heroic actions at Ap Dong, Republic of Vietnam, on October 31, 1967. During an airmobile assault, Captain Pitts immediately led his company against entrenched Viet Cong forces under intense automatic weapons fire, overrunning initial positions. Ordered to reinforce another engaged unit, his company soon came under heavy fire from three directions, including multiple bunkers at close range. Unable to maneuver due to the intensity of the attack and dense jungle terrain, Captain Pitts took decisive action. Armed with an M-79 grenade launcher, he accurately targeted enemy positions. When a captured grenade rebounded toward him, he threw himself upon it, risking his life to protect his men. After coordinating artillery support, he again led the assault, personally engaging enemy forces. Despite overwhelming danger, he maintained continuous fire and inspired his troops forward until he was mortally wounded. His extraordinary heroism reflects the highest traditions of military service.
Major General Frederick Daugherty, Army (Oklahoma City)
This citation honors General Daugherty for distinguished service and leadership in the Oklahoma National Guard and United States Army. Born August 18, 1914, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he earned law degrees from Cumberland University and the University of Oklahoma. Enlisting in May 1934 with the 179th Infantry, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1935 and later transferred to the 180th Infantry. Prior to federal service in 1940, he advanced to first lieutenant and served with Headquarters, 90th Infantry Brigade, 45th Division. During World War II, he held key assignments with Third Army and Sixth Army, earning promotions to captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel. Following the war, he commanded the 179th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Recalled for the Korean War, he later served as Assistant Division Commander and was federally recognized as brigadier general in 1952. On September 1, 1960, he assumed command of the 45th Infantry Division and was promoted to major general. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Philippine Liberation Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and United Nations Service Medal, reflecting a career of exemplary service and dedication.
Owen Garriott, NASA (Enid)
This citation honors Owen K. Garriott, a native of Enid, Oklahoma, born November 22, 1930. He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Oklahoma and both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University. He also completed jet aircraft certification through the United States Air Force pilot training program.
Dr. Garriott served as an electronics officer in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1956 and later joined Stanford’s faculty, conducting advanced research in ionospheric physics and authoring numerous scientific publications. In 1965, he was selected among the first scientist-astronauts by NASA. His first mission aboard Skylab in 1973 set a then-record for duration, with nearly 60 days in space, enabling extensive research on solar activity, Earth resources, and human adaptation to weightlessness. In 1983, he flew aboard Spacelab-1, conducting more than 70 experiments across multiple scientific disciplines and helping demonstrate the laboratory’s research capabilities. He also operated the first amateur radio station from space. Between missions, he held senior leadership roles at Johnson Space Center, directing scientific research and contributing to the Space Station Program, advancing human space exploration.
Admiral Thomas Hall, Navy (Barnsdall, OK)
This citation honors Thomas F. Hall, a native of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, for distinguished service in the United States Navy. He attended Oklahoma State University as an engineering major before accepting an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, entering in 1959 and graduating with top honors. He earned his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Aviator in 1964, finishing first in both flight and academic training. Deployed to Vietnam with Patrol Squadron Eight, he flew the P-3 Orion on numerous combat missions, earning multiple decorations, including the Air Medal. Over a 33-year aviation career, Admiral Hall served worldwide, commanding squadrons, Naval Air Stations, and NATO units. He culminated his service as Commander of the Naval Reserve, overseeing a significant portion of Navy forces. Admiral Hall earned a master’s degree from George Washington University, graduated with honors from the Naval War College, and with distinction from the National War College. He also served as a Senior Fellow in the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group and attended Harvard’s National Security Decision Forum. Selected for flag rank in 1988, he retired in 1996 as a Rear Admiral, among a select few of his class to achieve that distinction.
Bill Mauldin, Civilian War Correspondent
This citation honors Bill Mauldin, one of America’s most distinguished editorial artists, renowned for portraying the lives and sacrifices of the American GI. Serving with the United States Army during World War II, he created the iconic “Willie and Joe” cartoons, earning the Pulitzer Prize in 1945 at age 23, the youngest recipient at the time. He received a second Pulitzer in 1959 for a powerful cartoon reflecting the fate of Soviet novelist Boris Pasternak. Mauldin’s work earned three Distinguished Service Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for poignant national tributes, including depictions following the deaths of John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as commentary on press freedom. The National Cartoonists Society further honored him for best editorial cartoon and named him Cartoonist of the Year. An accomplished author, his acclaimed book Up Front and additional wartime collections captured the realities of combat with honesty and humanity. His work also chronicled later conflicts, including Korea and Vietnam. Through exceptional artistic talent and unwavering dedication, Bill Mauldin left a lasting legacy in journalism, military history, and American culture.
Major General Ray Smith, Marine Corps, (Shidler, OK)
This Hall of Fame honors General Smith for a lifetime of exceptional service and leadership in the United States Marine Corps. Born March 13, 1946, in Shidler, Oklahoma, he enlisted in December 1965 and earned his commission in 1967.
Deployed to Vietnam, he served as a rifle platoon commander with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. During the Tet Offensive, he assumed command of the company in Hue, leading Marines in sustained combat operations across key battle areas including Khe Sanh, Con Thien, and Da Nang. Following promotion to captain, he returned as an advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps during the 1972 Easter Offensive. From 1973 to 1984, General Smith earned a degree in Asian Studies from Oklahoma State University, commanded Battalion Landing Team 2/8 in Grenada and Beirut, and rose to lieutenant colonel. A graduate of the Naval War College, he later commanded the 8th Marine Regiment and served in senior leadership roles in Japan and at Camp Lejeune. Promoted to major general, he culminated his career as Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. His decorations include the Navy Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat “V,” and Purple Heart, reflecting extraordinary valor and dedication.
Lieutenant General Thomas Stafford, Air Force (Weatherford, OK)
This certificate honors Thomas P. Stafford, Lieutenant General, United States Air Force (Retired), and astronaut of NASA, born September 17, 1930, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. A 1952 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he also received numerous honorary doctorates in science, communications, aeronautical engineering, and humanities. General Stafford’s distinguished military career includes command of the Air Force Flight Test Center and service as Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development, and Acquisition at Headquarters United States Air Force. Promoted to Major General in 1975 and Lieutenant General in 1978, he retired November 1, 1979. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and NASA Exceptional Service Medal (twice). Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1962, he flew pivotal missions in Projects Gemini and Apollo. As pilot of Gemini VI, he helped achieve the first space rendezvous; as commander of Gemini IX, he advanced orbital operations. He later commanded the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, marking a historic milestone in international space cooperation and future joint exploration.