The Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame celebrated its 26th Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Nov 1 at the Embassy Suites, Norman. This year’s class included 11 living and deceased service members representing all Services and all ranks, one civilian and the Kiowa Code Talkers of WWII. The 590 attendees were awed by their valor in battle. The Hall of Fame is one arm of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation that also supports Hall of Honor Chapters in Oklahoma towns.
After honoring our national symbols, each service medley was played and dinner served. Singer and performer Maggie Bond and guitarist Dennis Hoch, a Navy veteran of Vietnam, provided entertainment.
Induction Ceremony
After each inductees’ biography was read, the inductee or a representative took the stage with the person who submitted the nomination and the Ambassador who assisted their family’s attendance. Two inductees are highlighted.
Army Colonel Philip Adair
Lt. Col. Gale Clem, his daughter, accepted the award because he died in 2017. She noted, “He was very humble. He…would basically give credit to his fellow servicemen, the crew chiefs, the maintainers, and the other pilots with him…it’s a tribute to an entire generation of Americans…”
Marine Corporal Byron Gordon
Because Gordon died in 2017, his oldest grandson, Chad Higbee, accepted the honor. Gordon was at Bataan when it fell in April 1942. He jumped in the ocean and swam towards Corregidor Island, 3.5 miles away. Years ago, Gordon was asked why he swam. He replied, “It was either that or a Japanese bullet.” Higbee said his grandfather “was actually being encircled by two sharks that were very aggressive. Granddad wasn’t really an overtly religious person, but he did pray for help…And that prayer came in the form of a dolphin who drove off the sharks and then gave him a ride.” Many in the crowd gasped or laughed hearing that story.
Public Service Awards
After 10 military members, including the Kiowa Code Talkers, were inducted for valor, Major General (Ret.) Douglas O. Dollar, USA, who founded the Hall of Fame, and Colonel (Ret.) Kelly Zachgo, President of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation, awarded Distinguished Public Service Awards to CAPT John Kielty, USN, and Mrs. Pamela Kloiber.
Dollar explained the purpose of the Hall of Fame. “We try to honor veterans for one thing, for valor. They’ve been outstanding in combat. The other criteria is that they may have done community/public service for veterans, and they certainly deserve recognition and encouragement.”
Zachgo was pleased with the night’s ceremony. “It was clear that attendees connected with the inductee’s stories and sacrifices. We’re here to honor Oklahoma’s veterans and tonight the cup for them was filled up and held high.”
Inductees not listed in October’s Veteran News Magazine
PVT Oscar J. Upham, U.S. Marine Corps, 1871 – 1949. Upham served in China during their 1899 – 1901 Boxer Rebellion. He received the Medal of Honor for heroic action erecting barricades under enemy fire. He served on the USS Oregon in the Spanish-American War.
CPL Byron C. Gordon, U.S. Marine Corps, 1919 – 2017. During WWII, Gordon deployed to China, Bataan and Corregidor. He endured 3.5 years as a prisoner of war, surviving harsh labor in prison camps and mines. Gordon was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and POW medal.
RADM Albert L. Kelln, U.S. Navy, 1929 – 2022. Kelln graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, served on the USS Blue and USS Ronquil during the Korean conflict, became one of the first officers qualified to operate a nuclear reactor and was Chief Engineer on USS Enterprise.
SSG Virgil Malone, U.S. Army, 1921 – 2004. During the Battle of the Bulge in WWII, Malone drew the enemy’s fire on himself so his fellow soldiers could eliminate a machine gun position. He was wounded in the head and awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for extraordinary valor.
SGT Gary L. Opela, U.S. Army. Opela deployed to Vietnam and twice earned the Silver Star. On July 24, 1970, he led a night defense, coordinated supporting fire, and evacuated wounded under heavy enemy attack. Opela helps veterans in Prague.
SGT Harold E. Wadley, U.S. Marine Corps. Wadley earned his first Purple Heart during the Vegas Hill battle, Korean War. With the 5th Marines in Vietnam, he received the Bronze Star with “V” for valor for rescuing wounded comrades. During Operation Swift, he was wounded, earning another Purple Heart and the Silver Star. •
story and photos by Lt Col Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.
For more information about the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation, go to https://okmhf.org.
