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Frank Welker CoitPrivate, U.S. ArmyBorn Jan. 16, 1892 - Died Sept. 27, 1918After his family moved to the El Reno area from Missouri, Frank Welker Coit — who like many during that era bore his mother’s maiden name as his middle name — attended grade school in El Reno.
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Douglas L. BrownMSG (retired), U.S. ArmyAugust 1986 to August 2008Attended basic training at Fort Knox, Ky.Advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Trained as a medic.Assignments include Fort Stewart, Ga., Camp Hovey, Korea, Fort Ord, California.
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Grover Benjamin BannisterPrivate, U.S. Army Coastal Artillery Corps, Company 1Born Oct. 8, 1888 - Died Oct. 6, 1918Grover Benjamin Bannister was the son of Judge Charles A. Bannister and Josephine Wilma (Hanks) Bannister.He was born Oct. 8, 1888, in Pratt County, Kan.
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William Roberts “Billy” Laird1940 graduate of El Reno High School.Born March 16, 1921 - Died Feb. 7, 1943Laird enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 18, 1942, just about six months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
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Harry Eugene BradlyBorn Dec. 13, 1922 - Died Jan. 25, 1943Died in a crash of an AT-6 Texan trainer aircraft along the coast of Texas.Bradly only attended El Reno schools through the seventh grade, at which point his family moved to Chicago, Ill.
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The Tribune would like to thank Brian Rukes, El Reno High School English teacher and District Historian, for his contributions to this special section honoring our veterans.Also, to all those who contributed information about the men and women they love who served this nation.