, 0-339652, Capt. USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Hedges of Burbank Okla. and husband of Mrs. Juanita Green Hedges of Atoka, was born Aug. 19, 1914 at Kaw City and attended Burbank H.S. and O.U. He entered service at Ft. Sill, Aug. 28, 1941 and trained at Ft. Sill, Camp Maxey, Camp Gruber and Camp Shelby. Capt. Hedges served in the U.S. 40 months and overseas 14 months in the EAME Theater of War with the 516th Field Arty. Bn., 9th Army, participating in the battles of the Rhineland and Central Europe. He served as Field Artillery Unit Commander of 4-155 MM Gun (Long Tom) and taught personnel in the use of artillery weapons. Capt. Hedges received his discharge Feb. 17, 1946. (Decorations: EAME Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars, American Defense Medal, American Theater Medal, Victory Medal.)
Claude H. Hood,850-02-88, McMM2/c USN, son of Tony P. Hood of Stringtown, Okla., was born July 10, 1925, at Chockie and attended Stringtown H.S. He entered service at Tulsa, Oct 7, 1943, trained at Camp Peary, Va. and was stationed at Philadelphia, Detroit and Boston. McMM2/c Hood served overseas 19 months on the USS Cyrene in the Pacific Theater of War. He received his discharge April 21, 1946. (Decorations: American Theater Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal w/1 Star, Philippine Liberation Medal.)
JONES
Gaston C. Jones, 670-26-76, CM1/c USNR , husband of Mrs. Myrtle Ann McGahey Jones of Atoka, Okla., was born Aug. 28, 1915, at Caney, Okla., and attended Tushka H.S. and S.E. College at Durant. He enlisted in the service at Oklahoma City, Mar. 20, 1942, and trained at Norfolk, Va. and Port Hueneme, Cal. CM1/c Jones served overseas 34 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of War with the 12th, 11th 33rd, and the 103rd Naval Const. Bns. participating in the battles of Attu, Green Island, Peleliu and Angaur. He received his discharge Nov. 1, 1945 (Decorations: Asiatic-Pacific Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, American Theater Medal, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal.)
LEE
Hoyt Marion Lee,914269, Cpl. Marine Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Lee of Atoka, Okla., was born Oct. 29, 1925 at Caddo and graduated from Atoka H.S. in 1943. He entered service at Oklahoma City Dec. 18, 1943 and trained at San Diego, Camp Matthews, and Camp Elliott. Cpl. Lee served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with the 3rd Marine Div., 9th Regt., 1st Bn., participating in the battles of Guam and Iwo Jima. He was wounded at Iwo Jima and was discharged Feb. 1, 1946. (Decorations: Purple Heart)
MASON
Buck Mason,38190015, S/Sgt. Mech. Cav. USA, son of Mrs. Mary Mason of Stringtown, Okla., was born Oct. 29, 1920 at Kiowa and attended Kiowa H.S. He entered service at Tulsa, Sept. 1942 and trained at Ft. Riley, Kans. Sgt. Mason served overseas in the ETO with the Trp. B, 6th Cav., Ren. Sq., participating in the battles of the Belgian Bulge, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received his discharge Oct. 1945. (Decorations: EAME Medal w/5 Battle Stars, American Theater Medal, Victory Medal.)
McCARY
Otis H. McCary, 848-42-90, PhM3/c USNR, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. McCary and husband of Mrs. Charline McCary of Atoka, Okla. was born at Antlers, Nov. 1, 1923, and attended Atoka H.S. and Oklahoma University. He entered service at Oklahoma City, Feb. 23, 1943, and trained at San Diego, Cal. where he served at the 11th Naval District Hq. Dispensary. PhM3/c McCary served overseas 7 months in the Pacific T of War with Navy 3256, G-8, #7 at Okinawa. He served in the Medical Corps aboard the USS Braxton and the USS Diptha and received his discharge Dec. 10, 1945.
McCASLAND
John H. McCasland, 0-406927, Lt. Col. CMP USA, husband of Mrs. Opal M. McCasland of Atoka, Okla., was born May 19, 1910, at Atoka and graduated from Atoka H.S. He entered service at Atoka, Sept. 16, 1940, and trained with the 120th Med. Regt. 45th Div. and Hq., 45th Div., as Asst. G-4 at Ft. Sill, Camp Barkeley, Ft. Devens, Cape Cod, Pine Camp and Camp Pickett. Col. McCasland served 27 months in the EAME Theater with Hq. 45th Div., participating in the battles of Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received his discharge Jan. 27, 1946. (Decorations: EAME Medal, American Defense Medal, Bronze Star Medal.)
McLEROY
James McLeroy, 20828019, 1st/Sgt. USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. McLeroy of Atoka, Okla., was born Nov. 4, 1924, at Atoka and graduated from Atoka H.S. He served with the National Guard and entered Federal service at Atoka, September, 1941, with the 45th Div., participating in the battle of Salerno. He was killed in action Sept. 21, 1943 at Salerno Beachhead. (Decorations: Purple Heart, EAME w/1 Bronze Star.)
MORRIS
Andrew J. Morris, Jr., Sgt. AAF, son of Mrs. Myrtle Hood of Stringtown, Okla., was born Dec. 26, 1920 at Talihina and attended Talihina public School. He entered service Jan. 12, 1941 and served in the Air Corps.
Connie Eugene Morris, 18054001, Cpl. AAF, son of Mrs. Myrtle Hood of Stringtown, Okla., was born Mr. 24, 1918 at Talihina and attended Talihina public schools. He entered service in Oklahoma City, Dec. 21, 1941,and trained at Sheppard Field, Tex. Cpl. Morris served in the American Theater in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Delaware and in Oklahoma.. He received his discharge Dec. 11, 1945. (Decorations: Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal.)
MORRIS
Tillman C. Morris, 38358106, Sgt FA USA, son of Mrs. Myrtle Hood of Stringtown, Okla., was born Oct. 21, 1922 at Talihina and attended school at Stringtown. He entered service at Oklahoma City Feb.4, 1943, and trained at Camp Howze, Tex., Camp Livingston, La., Camp Cooke, Cal., and San Luis Obispo, Cal. Sgt. Morris served in the European and Pacific Theaters with the 911th FA Bn., 86th Div., participating in the battle of Central Germany. He was discharged Mar. 9, 1946. (Decorations: Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, EAME Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal.)
POLLOCK
George E. Pollock, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Pollock and husband of Mrs. Flora Catherine Pollock of Atoka, Oklahoma, attended Limestone Gap High School, was born December 13, 1920. He entered the service May 4, 1942, and served with the United States Navy.
SHIELDS
George L. Shields, 38076800, Pfc. USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Shields of Kiowa, Okla., was born Aug. 11, 1917, at Wesley. He entered service at Atoka, Feb. 4, 1942, and trained at Camp Wolters and Ft. Sam Houston, Tex. Pfc. Shields served overseas 14 months in the European Theater of Operations with Co., C, 9th Inf., in France, Germany, Belgium and Ireland. He was wounded July 27, 1944 and was killed in action Dec. 15, 1944.
James Shields, Cpl. USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Shields of Kiowa, Okla., and husband of Mrs. Janice Capshaw Shields, of Wardville, was born Apr. 8, 1921, at Wesley and attended Limestone Gap School. He entered service Sep. 29, 1942 at Atoka, and rained at Camp Pinedale, Fresno, Cal.
John K. Shields, 849-53-52, S1/c USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Shields of Kiowa, Okla., and husband of Mrs. Doris June Williams Shields of Wardville, was born Jan. 4,1925 at Stringtown and graduated from Limestone Gap H.S. He entered service at Atoka, July 23, 1944, and trained at San Diego, Cal. S1/c Shields served overseas aboard the USS Buckingham, APA-141, 3rd Div., in Japan, Hawaii, and The Philippines. He received his discharge from the service Mar. 5, 1946.
Steve Shields, Cpl. USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Shields of Kiowa, Okla. and husband of Mrs. Marie Nichols Shields, of Wardville, was born May 19, 1923, at Stringtown. He entered service Mar. 2, 1943, and trained for service at Ft. Knox, Ky. Cpl. Shields served overseas in The European Theater of Operations in France.
TERRY
Jim O. Terry, 38711958, Pfc. USA, husband of Mrs. Floriene Terry of Stringtown, Okla., was born Dec. 10, 1914 at Chockie and graduated from Stringtown H.S. in 1931. He enlisted in the service at Ft. Sill, June 23, 1944 and trained at Camp Lee, Va. Pfc Terry served with the army Postal Terminal at Long Island, N.Y. and Station Comp. at Camp Kilmer, N.J. He was discharged May 13, 1946. (Decorations: Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal.)
TIDWELL
Earl E. Tidwell, 18216770, S/Sgt. AAF, of Atoka, Okla. was born July 21, 1922 at Seminole, Okla. and graduated from Atoka H.S. He was inducted into service Oct. 5, 1942 at Sherman, Texas, receiving his service training there and at Airplane Mech. School, Sheppard Field, Texas, and Gunnery School, Tyndall Field, Fla. Sgt. Tidwell served in the European Theater of War from Oct. from Oct. 12, 1944 to Aug. 4, 1945, and participated in the battles of the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. (Decorations: Air Medal w/6 Oak Leaves)
TISDALE
Jack R. Tisdale, 38128657, Pfc. USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Tisdale of Coalgate, Okla., was born Mar. 3, 1911, in Atoka County. He entered service at Tulsa, May 25, 1942, and trained at Camp Wolters, Tex. Pfc. Tisdale served 12 months in the Pacific Theater of War with the 43rd Inf., participating in the battles of Bismarck Archipelago, Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, Luson and Leyte. He received his discharge Sept. 22, 1945. (Decorations: Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal.)
Olen F. Tisdale, 8764782,S1/c USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Tisdale of Atoka, Okla. was born April 17, 1922, at Limestone Gap. He entered service at Denver, Colo. May 27, 1943, and trained at Farragut, Idaho. S1/c Tisdale served overseas 26 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of War aboard the USS Pokomoke, (AV-9), and received his discharge Mar. 6, 1946. (Decorations: Citation on Saipan, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal w/3 Stars.)
TURNER
Wylie Clyde Turner, 0-333737, Colonel, Inf. USA, son of Mrs. Malinda Turner of Dothan, Ala., and husband of Mrs. Eulalia Marrs Turner of Atoka, Okla., was born June 1- 1894 in Leesburg, Tex., moved to Oklahoma in 1920, and attended Baylor Academy and Baylor University at Waco, Tex. He entered the service at Atoka, Sept. 16, 1940, and trained with the 45th Division at Ft. Sill, Okla., Ft Benning, GA., Camp Barkeley, Tex., Camp Wolters, Tex., and Ft., Ord, Cal. Col. Turner served overseas 13 months during World War I with the AEF, 36th Div., participating in t he battles of Champaign and Meuse-Argonne. He received his discharge from the service Mar. 17, 1946. (Decorations: World War I Victory Medal, Natl. Defense Medal, American Theater Medal, World War II Victory Medal.)
WALKER
Carl R. Walker,20828069, Pvt. USA, son of Mrs. Hattie Walker of Atoka, Okla., was born Jan. 2, 1920, at Lehigh and attended Lehigh H.S. He enlisted in the services at Atoka, Sept. 16, 1940, and trained with the 45th Inf. Div., participating in the Sicilian and Italian Campaigns. He was wounded Jan. 5, 1944 in Italy, and received his discharge Dec.1, 1944. (Decorations: Purple Heart, EAME Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, American Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal.)
LeRoy S. Walker, 20828126, T/S USA, son of Mrs. Hattie Walker of Atoka, Okla., was born Sept. 15, 1917 , at Lehigh and attended Lehigh H.S. He enlisted in the service at Atoka Sept. 16, 1940 and trained with the 45th Div. Cpl Walker served 16 months in the EAME with the 45th Div., Cav. Ren. Trp., participating in the battles of Sicily, Italy, Anzio Beachhead, Normandy, and Northern France. He was killed in action Oct. 23, 1944 in Northern France. (Purple Heart, Presidential Citation, EAME Medal w/5 Bronze Stars, American Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal.)
WEAVER
Charlie G. Weaver, 0-406446, Capt. Inf. USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Weaver and Husband of Mrs. Dona Weaver of Atoka, Okla., was born May 25, 1917 at Atoka and graduated from Atoka H.S. and Southeastern State College. He served in the Natl. Guard, entered Federal service at Atoka, Sept 16, 1940, and trained with the 45th Div. at Ft. Sill, Camp Barkeley, served 25 months in the European Theater as Company Commander with the Sv. Co., 180th Inf., 45th Inf. Div., participating in the battles of Sicily, Salerno, Rome-Arno, Anzio, Southern France, the Rhine River, and Central Germany. He received his discharge Dec. 24, 1946. (Decorations: Bronze Star Medal, EAME Medal w/6 Battle Stars and Bronze Arrowhead, American Defense Medal, Meritorious Service Plaque w/1 Star.
WELLS
Walter S. Wells, 20828090, Cpl. Inf. USA, son of Mrs. Lyndall Brown of Seminole, Okla., was born Mar. 9, 1923, at Atoka and graduated from Atoka HS. He entered service at Atoka, Sept. 14, 1940, and trained with the 45th Div. at Ft. Sill, Okla., Ft. Devens, Mass., Camp Barkeley, Tex., and Pine Camp, N.Y. Cpl. Wells served overseas in the ETO with Co. B, 180th Inf., 45th Div., participating in the battles of Sicily, Naples-Foggia and Rome-Arno. He received his discharge Aug. 31, 1945. (Decorations: Combat Infantryman Badge, EAME Medal w/4 Battle Stars, Purple Heart.)
WHITE
Delbert B. White, 38468031, Pfc. AAA USA, son of Mrs. Lizzie Waller of Caney, Okla., was born April 24, 1924 at Atoka and attended Caney H.S. He entered the service Mar. 23, 1943 at Tulsa and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with the 673rd AA Machine Gun Btry., 1st Cav. Div., 28 months. Pfc. White participated in the campaigns of the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Southern Philippines and in the invasion of the Admiralties. He was a heavy machine gunner and was discharged Dec. 30, 1930. (Decorations: Asiatic-Pacific Medal w/3 Battle Stars, Philippines Liberation Medal w/1 Battle Star, Distinguished Unit Badge, Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal.)
Thomas A. White, S1/c USN, son of Mrs. Lizzie C. Waller of Caney, Okla., was born Jan. 28, 1922 at Caddo and attended Caney H.S. He entered the service Jan. 27, 1942, at Ardmore, Okla., and trained at San Diego. S1/c White served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of War aboard the US Submarine Argonaut. He was lost in action Jan. 10, 1943 when the Argonaut was sunk off the coast of Rabaul, New Britain. (Decorations: Purple Heart, Submarine Battle Pin w/1 Star.)
WINTERS
Richard L. Winters, 18195756, Sgt., Med. Corps USA, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marion P.Winters of Stringtown, Okla., was born Nov. 10, 1926 at McAlester and attended Stringtown H.S. and Oklahoma A & M. He entered service at Camp Chaffee, Ark., Dec. 19, 1944 and trained at Camp Hood, Tex. Sgt. Winters served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with the 24th Med. Bn., Co. D, and is now stationed at Kocki, Shikoku, Japan. (Decorations: Combat Inf. Badge, Army of Occupation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal.)
Thanks to Ethel Taylor, http://rebelcherokee.tripod.com/okkiowa.html, Kiowa County, OK for the use of the background.