sharing history of service - storytelling & oral testimonies
Buffalo Soldiers - Lawton-Ft. Sill Chapter of Oklahoma
The Lawton-Fort Sill Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers hosted a presentation at Enid Woodring Regional Airport recently on the history of one of America’s lesser-known military units. There are 40 chapters of the Buffalo Soldiers, with one in Oklahoma, said Tony Washington, president of that chapter. The name Buffalo Soldiers derives from Native Americans who witnessed the units in battle. What the Black soldiers showed on the battlefield was reminiscent of the tenacity of the buffalo, and the name stuck. The Buffalo Soldiers were activated as a U.S. military unit in 1866 following the Emancipation Proclamation with the creation of four infantry units and two cavalry units. But those units were activated under the guise that they would be separate units from the rest of the military and that they could only be commanded by white officers. The units were also given substandard equipment and food rations, often having to hunt to supplement their food intake.
With the fact that many of the accomplishments of the Buffalo Soldiers being historically suppressed even at the time, the history of the unit is not well known. Washington said that is an important aspect of the message shared by the chapter.
The Buffalo Soldiers had numerous commendations and 42 Medal of Honor recipients. The Buffalo Soldiers were deactivated in 1951 with the integration of the military. But the experiences of those soldiers was similar, whether during the Civil War, World War I or World War II. This highly decorated unit was a key to success in many battles and missions. Our goal is to educate our next generation of the value of all members of our armed forces.
French Legion of Honor
The Ambassador of France to the United States regularly honors American veterans of World War II. Paying tribute to those men is a way to express France’s gratitude toward those who risked their lives—and in many cases, gave their lives—defending liberty. After submitting an application, most American veterans who served in France during World Wars I and II are inducted into the Légion d’honneur,. or Legion of Honor.
The French Legion of Honor is an order of distinction first established by Napoleon Bonaparte in May of 1802. It is the highest decoration bestowed in France and is divided into five categories: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross). The highest degree of the Order of the Legion of Honor is that of Grand Master, which is held by the sitting President of the Republic.
Foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds may receive a distinction from the Legion of Honor. American recipients include Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur, Admiral Michael Mullen, and even, as an institution, the United States Military Academy at West Point. Today there are approximately 93,000 Legion of Honor recipients. American veterans who risked their lives during World War II and who fought on French territory qualify to be decorated as Knights of the Legion of Honor. Veterans must have fought in one of the four main campaigns of the Liberation of France: Normandy, Provence, Ardennes, or Northern France.
The Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park has successfully applied for and attained five (5) of the Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honor. The oral history of those veterans have been shared across social media, news media and in public ceremonies.
In partnership with the City of Enid Communications team, those oral histories have been documents and archived for educational purposes.
Sunday Lecture Luncheon
The Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park has partnered with many Vietnam veterans' associations and other American veterans of war to host lectures at the ML Becker Educational Center and OK Military History Exhibit.