November 2024

Frank CaseyWorld War IIJan. 18, 1943 – Dec. 26, 1945Army PrivateFirst Class Marksman RifleTwo Bronze Service StarsGood Conduct MedalWWII Victory RibbonAmerican Theater RibbonAP Theater Ribbon

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.He was among the 25 students who...

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.

Evelyn Hall BaumwartSister of Eugene HallArmy - World War II1944-1946

Sgt. Eugene HallBrother of Evelyn Hall BaumwartKorea — Vietnam1949-1975

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., and he and his family moved...

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.SM3c Laird was one of two signalmen assigned to the troop transport ship the...

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., his father working for the Rock Island Railroad and...

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.

Harry J. MossBorn Sept. 10, 1910 - Died March 4, 1945Graduated from El Reno High School in 1928.Played semi-professional baseball for a time.Was an engineer on an early version of the B-17 Flying Fortress, based at Clark Field in the Philippines when the Japanese attacks occurred in December...