November 2024

Billy Jack Evans

Body


2nd Lt. Billy Jack Evans
U.S. Army Air Forces
Born June 11, 1922. Died May 16, 1943

Note: One of the 44 young men we are honoring had ties to the former Evans Cleaners in downtown El Reno. He worked there, and his father started the business.

Billy Jack Evans_story

James Alfred Hinds

Body


Tech. Sgt. James Alfred Hinds (Class of 1938)
U.S. Army Air Forces
Born June 14, 1918. Died June 28, 1943 (Wyoming)

Served as an engineer/top turret gunner on a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress heavy bomber.

James Alfred Hinds_story

Melvin W. Jacks

Body

Melvin W. Jacks
U.S. Army
Born September 23, 1924. Died April 19, 1945

Technician 4th Grade Melvin W. “Rookie” Jacks, one of four brothers who served in World War II, was a radio operator with the B-573rd Signal Air Warning battalion.

Melvin W. Jacks_story

Veterans Day Facts

Body

▶ Nov. 11, 1918, was largely considered the end of the “war to end all wars,” even though the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I, was signed June 28, 1919.

▶ While Veterans Day is an American holiday, Canada, Great Britain, Australia and France also honor the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near Nov. 11. Canada celebrates Remembrance Day, while Britain observes Remembrance Sunday each year on the second Sunday of November.

▶ Data from the Department of Veterans Affairs says there are around 19 million U.S. veterans as of 2021.

Luther H. “Buddy” Smith Jr.

Body

2nd Lt. Luther Hendrix “Buddy” Smith Jr.
U.S. Army Air Forces
Born January 4, 1924. Died May 20, 1944

Known as a particularly bright young man, Luther H. “Buddy” Smith Jr. was a graduate of El Reno High School Class of 1941.

Luther H. “Buddy” Smith Jr._story

George Wesley Tomlins

Body

George Wesley Tomlins
U.S. Army
Born October 14, 1893. Died February 5, 1918

George Wesley Tomlins was born in Rush Springs in the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.  

George Wesley Tomlins_story

Thomas Gordon Jackson

Body

S/Sgt. Thomas Gordon Jackson (Class of 1928)
U.S. Army Air Forces
Born May 16, 1908. Died October 20, 1945

Thomas Gordon Jackson was a graduate of EHS, a member of the Class of 1928.

Thomas Gordon Jackson_story

John Leon Lucus

Body

John Leon Lucus
U.S. Army
Born April 3, 1921. Died April 19, 1944

John Leon Lucus attended El Reno schools and graduated from El Reno High School in 1938.

He served in the 252nd Quartermaster Remount Squadron and was based at Fort Reno for 14 months, so he has a doubly strong connection to the history of the city.

John Leon Lucus_story

Blanton killed while on special mission in Laos

Body

Lt. Col. Clarence Finley Blanton (Class of 1939)
U.S. Air Force
Born September 11, 1921. Died March 11, 1968

Clarence Finley Blanton was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and Commander at Lima Site 85, 1043rd Radar Evaluation Squadron, 7th Air Force.

Clarence Finley Blanton_story

Freddie Hobson

Body

Freddie Hobson

USAF 10/23/1961 - 10/22/1965

Served in Italy for 15 months and Texas for 33 months.

Top secret security clearance.

Honorably discharged as E-4 Sergeant.

Freddie Hobson_story