November 2024

Body 2nd Lt. Billy Jack EvansU.S. Army Air ForcesBorn June 11, 1922. Died May 16, 1943Note: 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.

Body Tech. Sgt. James Alfred Hinds (Class of 1938)U.S. Army Air ForcesBorn June 14, 1918. Died June 28, 1943 (Wyoming)Served as an engineer/top turret gunner on a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress heavy bomber.

Body Melvin W. JacksU.S. ArmyBorn September 23, 1924. Died April 19, 1945Technician 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.

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.

Body 2nd Lt. Luther Hendrix “Buddy” Smith Jr.U.S. Army Air ForcesBorn January 4, 1924. Died May 20, 1944Known as a particularly bright young man, Luther H. “Buddy” Smith Jr. was a graduate of El Reno High School Class of 1941.

Body George Wesley TomlinsU.S. ArmyBorn October 14, 1893. Died February 5, 1918George Wesley Tomlins was born in Rush Springs in the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.  

Body S/Sgt. Thomas Gordon Jackson (Class of 1928)U.S. Army Air ForcesBorn May 16, 1908. Died October 20, 1945Thomas Gordon Jackson was a graduate of EHS, a member of the Class of 1928.

Body John Leon LucusU.S. ArmyBorn April 3, 1921. Died April 19, 1944John Leon Lucus attended El Reno schools and graduated from El Reno High School in 1938.

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

Body Freddie HobsonUSAF 10/23/1961 - 10/22/1965Served in Italy for 15 months and Texas for 33 months.Top secret security clearance.Honorably discharged as E-4 Sergeant.