Lawmakers Honor Oklahoma's 'Fighting 45th'

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson joined House Speaker Larry Adair and other members of the Legislature Tuesday in honoring Oklahoma’s 45th Infantry Division at the State Capitol Tuesday.

“The men and women of the ‘Fighting 45th’ have always served their country and state with distinction. They are shining examples of the courage and resolve of both our nation and the great state of Oklahoma,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.

Members of the 45th were honored as lawmakers met in joint session in the chamber of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Hobson, who retired at the rank colonel from the Air National Guard, praised all Oklahomans currently serving in Iraq and around the world in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“This is an emotional time for all of us because of what is going on in Iraq where so many Oklahomans are doing great things for their country,” Hobson said. More than 3,800 Oklahoma National Guard and Air National Guard soldiers and airmen have been called to active duty or placed on alert in support of the war in Iraq, Oklahoma Adjutant General Harry M. “Bud” Wyatt told the crowd.

An Oklahoma Air National Guard C-130 and its crew participated last week in the rescue of prisoner of war Private Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi hospital where she was being held captive, Wyatt said.

As part of Tuesday morning’s ceremony, Hobson and Rep. Jerry Hefner, D-Wagoner, were both presented with the Charles Dick Medal of Merit. The award is named for Maj. Gen. Charles Dick, who while serving as a member of Congress won passage of the legislation that created the National Guard in the early 1900s.

During World War II, the Thunderbirds, as members of the 45th are known, fought for 511 days and compiled an impressive combat record. The 45th captured more than 126,000 prisoners and were credited with eight campaigns from four amphibious landings. Eight Thunderbirds were awarded the Medal of Honor.

The Thunderbirds also fought with distinction in the Korean Conflict, including battles at Old Baldy, Pork Chop Hill, and Heartbreak Ridge.