July 2020 Newsletter
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Freedom’s Voice The Monthly Newsletter of the Military History Center 112 N. Main ST Broken Arrow, OK 74012 http://www.okmhc.org/ “Promoting Patriotism through the Preservation of Military History” Volume 7, Number 7 July 2020 Independence Day Victory at Yorktown John Trumbull’s painting of the British surrender at Yorktown General George Washington, commander of the Continen- The MHC Receives ODL Grant tal Army, along with more than 7,000 French soldiers, com- st pelled the surrender of the British, commanded by Charles, 1 The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) has awarded a PPE Marquis Cornwallis, at the village of Yorktown, Virginia, on Oc- grant to the MHC to help purchase personal protective equipment tober 19, 1781. Lord Cornwallis was so despondent that he and supplies to help keep staff and visitors safer during the Covid-19 refused to participate in the surrender. He sent Major General pandemic. The MHC is one of sixty-four Oklahoma institutions to Charles O’Hara to do the dirty work. O’Hara attempted to sur- receive a grant from the ODL courtesy of the Federal CARES Act and render to the French commander, the Comte de Rochambeau, the Institution of Museum and Library Services. The ODL distribut- ed a total of $60,000 to address the Covid-19 concerns of public who informed O’Hara that General Washington was command- libraries, tribal libraries, tribal cultural centers, museums and histor- er of the army. Because O’Hara was not commander of the ical sites in the state. British forces, Washington refused his sword and directed him The MHC will use the funds to provide Covid-19 related safety to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who had surrendered and health items. “Our mission is to serve our community, and we Charleston to the British in 1780. In the painting, Lincoln is on want to continue that mission in the safest way we can,” said MHC the white horse with O’Hara walking at his side leading the Brit- President, Tom Mancino. ish and German soldiers to where they were to stack their arms. General Washington is on his horse in the background. World War II Veteran Oscar Nipps, Jr. Graduates with BA Class of 2020 Oscar Nipps, Jr. (Junior) should have graduated from Broken Arrow High School in 1943, but his family had moved to Cali- fornia, and on December 7 of that year, he was drafted into the United States Army. The next year, he was fighting with the 5th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division on Leyte in the Phil- ippine Islands. In January 1945 through the end of the war, he was on Luzon, where he participated in the liberation of Santo Tomas civilian internment camp and the Battle of Manila. Jun- ior is a holder of a Bronze Star and other decorations. After the war, Junior returned to Broken Arrow but was too busy getting on with his life, marrying and raising a family to think of getting his high school diploma. When MHC docent Brad Heath learned of Junior’s story, he decided something should be done about getting a diploma for Junior. Brad con- tacted his friend, David Alexander, Broken Arrow High School’s Broken Arrow Mayor Craig Thurmond shares his thoughts on head football coach, who took the idea to Superintendent Dr. Junior’s achievements and his graduation. Janet Dunlop. “This diploma is a token of appreciation for all he did for our country and our community,” she said. “Mr. Nipps is officially part of the Broken Arrow Public Schools fami- ly, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate him.” So, it came to pass that on graduation night, June 30, 2020, in Broken Arrow High School Memorial Stadium, ninety-four-year-old Oscar Nipps, Jr. received his long-deferred high school diploma. Junior has been a presence at the Military History Center for several years, where he is the official greeter. He has also been featured in a number of stories in this newsletter. Earlier in the day on June 30, he was recognized by the Broken Arrow City Council, and the MHC hosted a pre-graduation party for him. MHC docent, Brad Heath, shares his story about bringing Junior’s story to the attention of the Broken Arrow school system. State Representative Ross Ford of Broken presents Junior with a Certificate of Recognition from the Oklahoma Legislature. MAJ Jack O’Connor (USAF, Rtd.) presents Junior with a $25 gift certificate, courtesy of Charleston’s Restaurant in Broken Arrow. Additionally, Junior will receive a commendation signed by Governor Kevin Stitt for obtaining his diploma from Broken Arrow High School at age ninety-four. Junior with Dr. Dunlop to his left and other Broken Arrow school officials. Congratulations to Tech5 Oscar Nipps, Jr., 5th Cavalry Reg- st iment, 1 Cavalry Division, World War II combat veteran and graduate of Broken Arrow High School, Class of 2020. Junior in his graduation robe with Dr. Dunlop The first link below is a short YouTube video about Junior created by Broken Arrow High School at the MHC. The second link is a 2017 interview with Junior by Joe L. Todd, an oral historian with the Oklahoma Historical Society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2snJxFnubo https://www.examiner- enterprise.com/lifestyle/20171204/broken-arrow-man- served-in-philippines Dr. Dunlop presents Junior with his diploma. (Graduation photos courtesy of Brad Heath) The Navy’s Blue Angels over Mount Rushmore – July 3 This Month’s Featured Artifact The American Heritage Girls and Trail Life Boys visited the MHC on June 23. The MHC Needs Your Support Because of the Covid-19 shutdown, the MHC has been closed, and we have not been able to hold any fundraising events. Museum fees and fundraising are our primary sources of operating revenue, and without them, we are feeling the pinch. We are asking for your financial support to help us continue our ongoing mission of promoting patriotism and recognizing the sacrifices made by our veterans, past This month’s featured artifact is a nautical telescope used by the U.S. and present, to keep America free. We believe the MHC Navy ca. 1900. It’s a primitive range finder. It has an upper spotting provides a valuable service to the local community, espe- scope, and the circular disc on the side measures trajectory degrees. cially to veterans and students, by “Promoting Patriotism Keith Browne donated this artifact. through the Preservation of Military History”. For more information, please contact the Military His- tory Center at (918) 794-2712 to learn how you can be a financial supporter, or click on the link below to go to the MHC website at www.okmhc.org/donate/. Monetary donations are tax deductible, subject to IRS regulations. Museum Hours and Admission Fee The MHC Salutes Korean War Veterans Tuesday thru Friday: 10:00-4:00 Saturday: 10:00-2:00 Closed Sunday and Monday and on major Federal holidays United States Korean War Service Ribbon Adults – $5.00 Members and children under 18 – Free For more information, call (918) 794-2712 www.okmhc.org United Nations Korean War Service Ribbon Korean War: June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953 Korean War – Retreat to the Naktong River ever few and ill prepared, ground troops had to be sent to Ko- rea as soon as possible. When President Truman committed the United States to On June 30, GEN MacArthur ordered Eighth Army Com- th war in Korea, he not only had not consulted with Congress, he mander, LTG Walton Walker, to order the 24 Infantry Division had not inquired of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) the readiness to Korea. Eighth Army formalized the order the next day. The of the armed forces. If he had, he might have had second first contingent would be a battalion of two rifle companies thoughts. The mighty war machine of World War II had been reinforced with two 4.2-inch heavy mortar platoons and one reduced to near nothingness. Truman was intent on balancing platoon of 75-mm recoilless rifles. The force was styled Task the federal budget without a tax increase. His principal target Force Smith, commanded by LTC Charles B. “Brad” Smith, st st th for cost reductions was the military. Budgets had been consist- commander of 1 BN, 21 Infantry Regiment of the 24 Divi- ently and drastically slashed every year from 1946. It was ini- sion. It was intended to try to slow down the NKPA. Walker th tially hoped that the mere fact of United Nations, primarily told MG William F. Dean, commander of the 24 ID, that he United States, intervention would be enough to cause the needed to buy time for Eighth Army to get the other occupa- North Koreans to withdraw back above the 38th Parallel. When tion divisions up to combat strength with men, weapons and th that didn’t happen, it was hoped that air power could handle matériel. The 24 ID would follow Task Force Smith to Korea as the situation. Within days, General Douglas MacArthur, who soon as possible. Smith cobbled together 440 men from the st had been appointed UN commander for Korea, informed the 21 Regiment of which only 406 actually made it to Korea. No JCS that air power couldn’t come close to stopping the North one expected Task Force Smith to accomplish much as it obvi- Korean Peoples Army (NKPA) and drive them out of South Ko- ously didn’t have the men or weapons to stop T-34 tanks or to rea. It would require ground forces, lots of them.