Oklahoma WWII Army Rangers

“From the deadly shores of North Africa, to the invasion of Sicily, to the fierce jungle hell of the Pacific, the contribution of the World War II Ranger Battalions far outweighed their numbers. They were ordinary men on an extraordinary mission, experiencing the full measure of the fear, exhaustion, and heroism of combat in nearly every major invasion of the war. Whether spearheading a landing force or scouting deep behind enemy lines, these highly motivated, highly trained volunteers led the way for other Soldiers—they were Rangers.” —Robert W. Black, author of Rangers of World War II.

In January 1942 the first American units began moving to Northern Ireland. In May 1942 Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall sent Oklahoman, BG Lucian Truscott, to investigate ways to get combat experience for American Soldiers. The War Department approved Truscott's proposal for a special unit of 473 all-volunteer Soldiers. Truscott chose the historically cherished name “Rangers.” Major William Darby* from Arkansas was its first commander. During WWII, 7,000 volunteered in seven Battalions to be Rangers, including 71 Oklahomans. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded in 2022, honoring their courage and motto: “Rangers Lead the Way!”

SGT Lee R Adams
PFC Sammie Adkins
SSG Christopher M Anderson
PFC Eula C Ballard
T/5 Thomas Bearpaw
SSG Rement W Brakhage
PFC Delbert E Brown
SGT Marion J Callaway
2 LT William K Carr
PVT Alfonso J Cruz
SGT Robert L Cunningham
PFC Aubrey “Blacky” Daniels
PVT Milton D Dewbre
CPT John J Ditmars
PVT Billy Junior Davis
LT James K Davis
PFC Virgil S Dixon
T/SGT Victor H Fast
CPL Avery J Ford
PVT William Q Foster
T/SGT Ralph C Franks
PFC Ivan J Gannon
PFC Wayne D Goad
PVT James Greenfeather
SSG Harold W Hankins
PFC Robert P Hinman, Jr
PVT Alexander E Hutton, Jr
TSGT Theodore A James
PVT Jack W Johnson
PFC Lester W Johnson
CPL Presley D Johnson
PVT Calvin D Kight
PFC Johnny Kiser
PVT Lloyd E Kittley
PVT Nabih G Kotite
PFC Odis L Lawhon

PFC Joseph E Long
PFC Walter R McNichols
SSG Lester L Malone
PVT Ray H Mason
PFC Kenneth F Masters
CPT George R Miller
SSGT George W Monks
CPT Paul B Mueggenberg
PFC Jesse M Niblach
PFC Roy B Peters
PVT Roy C Pilgrim
CPL Clyde E Ray
T/5 Buford L Riddle
CPL James C Ritchey
PFC Walter W Roach
SGT Orvil R Roberts
CPL Cloyd Robison
SGT Guy L Sewell
T/SGT Jack L Sharp
PVT Thomas Skelton
T/5 Karl E Smith
PFC Conrad J Solf
CPL Hollis Dorion Stabler
CPL Lewis A. Strange
CPT Leonard Summers, Jr
CPL Benjamin F Swindle
1SG Dee Thomas
PFC Jack D Troutt
BG Lucian K. Truscott, Jr
T/5 Charles Walters
PVT Russell K Weatherford
SGT Virgil E Webster
CPL Robert W Winkcompleck
SSG Floyd T Wilemon
PFC J D Williams
MAJ William O Darby*