Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma Genealogy Trails
Our
Military Hall of Fame
| Forrester, Walter Reed, Private, U.S. Army Corps,
Home address: Wanette, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. Mrs. Martha Forrester is his mother. He was born on October 8, 1919 and enlisted October 29. 1940. His military decorations include the Distinguished Unit Bade, Oak Leaf Cluster, Order of the Purple Heart. He graduated from High School in May 1939 and was a Methodist. He served as an Aerial Gunner on B-24 (Liberator) bomber, the citation with the Distinguished Unit Bard stating in part: "On July 26th, this group of B-24 Liberator bombers took off as lead group in wing formation and set course for the target. Attacked by thirty enemy fighters, the gunners threw up such a curtain of lead that the attack was broken off." Walter died on November 18, 1944 in Mediterranean area. |
| Fortune, Melvin G., Private, US Army. He
was from McLoud, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. He was born on December 14, 1922. Melvin enlisted on April 25, 1944. His father was A.E. Fortune, He recieved the Order of the Purple Heart. He died December 24, 1944 in action in Germany. |
| Rivers, Ruben was born on October 31, 1919.
He attended Dunbar High School in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His mother was Mrs. Lillian Rivers of Rt 1, Tecumseh, Oklahoma. He was a member of the Colored Methodist Church. He enlisted into the US Army on January 15, 1942 making the rank of Staff Sargeant. He served in 761st Tank Battalion, Third Army. He was recommended for the Presidential Unit Citation for drive to initial objective against enemy taken on November 20, 1944. The Citation with the Silver Star stated in part concerning the attack against the enemy on November 7, 1944, when a road block was encountered with held up the advance. "With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Rivers dismounted from his tank in the face of face of directed enemy fire, attached a cable to the road block, and had it removed from the road, thur permitting the combat team to proceed." This Commanding Officer made the following statement in a latter: "He did his duty splendidly and was loved and admired by all. We will not forget." He died on November 19, 1944 during the attack on Gnebling, France. |
| Scott, Roy Lee was born on Marcy 29, 1920.
He enlisted into the US Army with the rank of private on March 19, 1942. His mother was Mrs. Clara Ellen Scott of 407 South Broadway in Techumseh, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma. He died of wounds received in action in France on June 11, 1944. He received the Order of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal. |
| Wells, Kenneth Orvil was born February 22,
1918. He enlisted into the US Navy as a Chief Pharmacist's Mate on February 12, 1937 while living in Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma. His next of kin listed was his wife, Mrs. Doris Horn Wells who was living at 411 West 46th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri at the time of his death on July 13, 1943 while in line of duty aboard the U.S.S. Gavin in Kula Gulf, Pacific area. |
| Woodworth, Marvin Grady was born on Movember 18,
1906. He graduated from eighth grade at Drasco, Arkansas. When he enlisted into the US Army on May 26, 1942 he was living in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma with his mother Mrs. Martha M. Woodworth at 528 South Chapman. He sailed for duty overseas in July 1944 with the rank of private first class serving as Radio Operator in the Field Artillery. He died in the line of duty at Metz, France on October 21, 1944. His decorations were Good Conduct and Expert Marksmanship. |