Ruben Rivers

Only one Pottawatomie County veteran has recieved the nation's highest military honor. And it took 53 for the medal to be awarded. Ruben Rivers was farming with his large family in Hotulka, just northwest of Earlsboro, when war broke out in 1941. He and two of his brothers, Dewey and Robert, went into military service. Robert was in a supply unit in France and Dewey with the engineers in New Guinea. Ruben trained with 761st Tank Battalion, known as the 'Black Panthers', and soon after the June 1944 D-Day invasion shipped out for Europe. The 761st was the first African-American armored unit ever on foreign soil in tanks. They were part of the 26th Infantry Division and entered combat on November 8. Rivers was platoon sergeant for A Company. Reports say that without regard for his personal safety when the company reached a roadblock Rivers dismounted from his tank and in the face of enemy fire, he attached a cable to the barrier and dragged it out of the way. A few days later, as the Panthers smashed through the French towns an officer radioed Rivers not to take the next town since Germans still occupied it. Rivers replied that he was already through the town. Later A Company led the attack on Guebling spearheading for the 101st Airborne Infantry. They were approaching in 11 tanks with Rivers in the lead when he ran over a mine and the right track was blown off. Rivers' leg was injured and medics dressed the wound. He refused painkillers as well as evacuation, saying he would be needed as the unit pressed onward. The next monring Rivers led the Panthers' tanks into Guebling and engaged the enemy tanks until the German's retreated. Medics determined that gangrene had infected Rivers' leg but once again they could not get him to return to the rear. The medics had to withdraw when shells began to pound the area. At dawn the following day, November 19, 1944, Rivers and the other Panther tanks were overrun. They were ordered to pull back but Rivers continued shooting from his tank-mounted 76 mm cannon. It was then that the Germans fired two anti-tank high explosive shots, both of which found their mark. Two weeks later Rivers mother received notice of his death. He had already been awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. His commanding officer, Capt David J. Williams, also recommended him for the Medal of Honor but according to official reports the "request was lost." In fact, no African-American soldiers received the award during World War II. It took fifty years for the wrong to be righted. In 1993 the army contacted Shaw University to research and prepare a study to determine if there was any racial disparity in the way Medals of Honor were awarded. The cutoff date for congress to consider awards from World War II was 1952 but an extension was granted. Due to the Shaw University research seven African-Americans were nonimiated for the Medal of Honor, three from the 761st and including Rivers. Capt Williams and others were responsible for much of the work on the late-arriving honor. No direct proof of overt racism was discovered but the report indicated the climate encouraged such omissions. Oklahoma Congressman Jim Inhofe was also instrumental in the efforts. Sgt Ruben Rivers was honored January 13, 1997, with the Congressional Medal of Honor at the White House. Two of his sisters, a nephew and Capt Williams were present to witness the ceremony. Rivers' citation reads: "For extraordinary herosim in action during the 15-19 Nov 1944 push toward Guebling, France. Though severely wounded in the leg, Sgt Rivers refused medical treatment and evacuation, took command of another tank and advanced with his company in Guebling the next day. Repeatedly refusing evacuation, Sgt Rivers continued to direct his tank's fire at enemy positions through the morning of 19 Nov 1944. At dawn, company A's tanks began to advance towards Augaktroff, but were stopped by enemy fire. Sgt Rivers, joined by another tank was hit, killing him and wounding the crew. Staff Sgt River's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his unit and exemplified the highest traditions of military service."