OKMHF Class of 2026

MEDAL OF HONOR

Sergeant Mad Bear, U.S. Army

Pawnee name: Co-Rux-Te-Chod-Ish

1847 - 1913

Sergeant Mad Bear, was born in Nebraska in 1847 and grew up as a Pawnee tribesman. During the Indian Wars of 1865-1877, he enlisted on 10 June 1869 as a Pawnee Scout for the Pawnee Scout Battalion assigned to the 5th Cavalry Regiment. During the night of 8 July, the camp was attacked by Cheyenne warriors led by Tall Bull.  Mad Bear, without hesitation, mounted his horse and rode into the dark to attack the enemy. He was wounded by a gunshot to the hip.  For his gallantry, Mad Bear became the first indigenous recipient of the Medal of Honor. SGT Mad Bear died in 1913.

DOLLAR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

Brigadier General Ben T. Robinson was born in San Antonio, TX, in 1947 and raised in Clovis, NM. As an Army helicopter pilot from 1969-1972, he flew 100 combat missions in Vietnam. Later, upon completion of Air Force Training School, he earned his fixed pilot wings.  He commanded the 552nd Air Control Wing during his final tour at Tinker AFB.  After retiring, Robinson became a Boeing senior executive.  He advanced STEM education and aerospace opportunities in Oklahoma, and since 2013, is a docent at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.  He served as Oklahoma Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs from 2019-2022 and now resides in Edmond, OK. 

HONORED GROUP

Oklahoma Dustoff / Medevac Crews of the Vietnam War

U.S. ARMY

Since the earliest wars, commanders recognized that quickly treating and evacuating wounded soldiers preserved lives and strengthened unit morale. At the end of World War II and during the Korean War, helicopters revolutionized battlefield medicine, evacuating more than 17,700 casualties. In Vietnam that number grew to over 900,000, thanks to the extraordinary courage, skill, and selfless service of helicopter pilots and crews known by the call signs “Dustoff” and “Medevac.” In September 2024, Congress awarded these crewmembers the Congressional Gold Medal. Oklahomans were among these elite rescue crews and are now honored with induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.

INDIVIDUAL HONOREES

Captain Eugene P. Boyt was born in Houston, MO, in 1917 and is a 1935 graduate of Drumright High School in OK. Commissioned as a 2LT in the US Army Corps of Engineers through the ROTC program at the Missouri School of Mines in 1941, he was stationed at Clark Field in the Philippines. The Japanese invasion forced his capture in April 1942, and he survived the Bataan Death March. He was a prisoner of war in four POW camps before being liberated in 1945. He received a meritorious Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the POW medal, and three Presidential Unit Citations.

First Lieutenant Daniel W. Griswold was born in Agra, OK, in 1917 and graduated from Tryon High School in 1936. He earned a degree in agriculture from Oklahoma A&M College in 1940 and was commissioned through Army ROTC. Entering active duty in July 1940, he joined the 31st Infantry Regiment in Manila, Philippines. On 21 January 1942 Griswold led Company K in a successful attack that repelled a Japanese assault on the American defensive line at Bataan. After the peninsula fell on 9 April 1942, he endured the Bataan Death March as a prisoner of war and died on 3 July 1942. Griswold was posthumously awarded the Silver Star in 1950.

Colonel Charles C. “Sonny” Kegelman was born in El Reno, OK, in 1915 and graduated from El Reno High School in 1932. While studying pre-med at University of OK, he acquired the love of flying. In 1936 he enrolled in the Army Air Corps, learned to fly, and was commissioned in 1937. As Commander of the 15th Bombardment Squadron, on 4 July 1942 he participated in the first American bomber attack in Holland. Kegelman was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for that action. He returned to the US as a flight instructor.  Later in March 1944 he was killed in action in the Philippines.  

Sergeant First Class Richard D. Lake was born in Rockford, IL, in 1930. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Army in January 1951. Following basic training, he was recognized for his leadership potential. After assignments in Korea, Europe, Fort Riley, and the Fort Sill Artillery School, he deployed to Vietnam with A Company, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. On 2 May 1967, during a hazardous jungle river crossing, Lake entered the water without hesitation and saved two soldiers from drowning, earning the Soldier's Medal. He also received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Captain Michael P. Lapolla was born in Peekskill, NY, in 1943. A 1965 graduate of West Point, he served as a combat infantry officer during two tours in Vietnam and was twice decorated for valor. His first valor award came while attached to a Special Forces Mike Force; the second recognized his valor in directing the aerial extraction of an embattled Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol team. His decorations include three Bronze Stars, three Air Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. During his service, he founded and led a brigade Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol team and served as a battalion advisor with the 1st ARVN Infantry Division. He resides in Tulsa.

Major General Albert L. Logan was born in Ravia, OK, in 1935. After graduation from Ravia High School in 1953, he earned a degree from Oklahoma State University in 1957 and was commissioned through Air Force ROTC. During the Vietnam War, Logan served two tours in Thailand, flying more than 200 F-105 combat missions over North Vietnam. Widely recognized as an exceptional fighter pilot, instructor, staff officer, command pilot, wing commander, and general officer, he retired from the Air Force in 1988. Logan then joined Lockheed Martin, contributing to development of the F-22 Raptor. His decorations include the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.  

Master Sergeant Jack A. Rogers was born in Mendota, IL, in 1930 and was raised in Enid, OK. Rogers left high school to enlist in the US Army in September 1947, serving alongside his two brothers during the Korean War. On 12 February 1951, near Hoengsong, Korea, he earned the Silver Star for gallantry as a tank commander after rescuing his wounded unit commander under enemy fire. Following assignments in Japan, Korea, Germany, and Kansas, Rogers served with the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam as the S-5 Plans NCO. He retired from active duty in 1968.    

Lieutenant Colonel Russell O. Tate was born in Amarillo, TX, in 1946. After graduation from Oklahoma’s Putnam City High School in 1964, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968. An expert marksman, he completed sniper school and deployed to Vietnam where he was wounded three times. His valor earned him the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with “V” Device, and three Purple Hearts. After earning a doctorate in podiatric medicine, he joined the US Army Reserve in 1978. Tate later commanded the 2nd Battalion, 12th Special Forces Group and deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina during Operation Joint Endeavor in 1996. He died in 2022.  

2nd Lieutenant George S. Weaber was born in Dacoma, OK, in 1919. After graduating from Enid High School in 1938, he attended OK A&M College until his 1940 mobilization in the OK National Guard. In 1941 he enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve. Later as a 2Lt with the 3rd/5th Marines, he landed on the island of Peleliu on 15 September 1944, tasked with directing Naval gunfire during assaults. On 27 September, while volunteering with 2nd/5th Marines, his men were pinned down. He exposed himself to attract enemy fire and was killed in action. He was posthumously awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart.    

Captain Ivan J. Weaber was born in Dacoma, OK, in 1907. He graduated from Enid High School in 1924. A 1928 ROTC graduate of OK A&M College in Stillwater, he served as an Army Reserve Officer. In April 1941 he deployed to the Philippine Islands and was assigned to the 92nd Coast Artillery Regiment at Fort Mills on Corregidor Island. When Corregidor fell, Captain Weaber was captured by the Japanese and imprisoned at Cabanatuan. In December 1944 he was moved to Moji Harbor, destined for transport on one of Japan’s “hell ships” where he died onboard in January 1945. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and POW Medal.