The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abner Aust. Aust joined the Army Air Forces in September 1941 and completed flight school in April 1943. He was assigned to Venice, Florida, as an instructor, often receiving extra runway duty on account of his mischievous acrobatics. In October 1944, he joined the 506th Fighter Group, 457th Fighter Squadron, as flight commander. Upon familiarizing himself with the P-51, he flew his first missions out of Tinian, moving next to Iwo Jima. While escorting B-29s, he sometimes broke away to lead his group of eight fighters to strafe opportunistically. He is credited with five victories, the last of which occurred on 10 August 1945, distinguishing him as the last fighter ace of World War II. Aust then served in the Air Force and participated in the Vietnam War. Just before his retirement, he worked at Bolling Air Force Base to develop the F-15. After all of his experience in fighters, his favorite plane is the P-40N.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the reunion of families when the Monterey picked up war brides and their babies from all over the Pacific and brought them back to the States. He transferred to a Liberty ship that brought German war criminals back to the States from South America, although he believes that the majority of the passengers were actually concentration camp survivors. D’Agostino was discharged but was drafted again during the Korean War and served as a radio relay operator atop a mountain in dangerous and harsh winter conditions. When he was discharged a second time, he applied his kitchen experience and attended Cornell’s hotel school. D’Agostino became the director of food service for Trans World Airlines. Before retiring, he moved …

A pamphlet for the city of Lawton's 100th birthday.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Scheffel. Scheffel grew up in Oklahoma and enlisted in the Army ROTC in 1940. He was called up in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. He was allowed to finish out his senior year of college and was married in March 1942. He embarked on the Queen Elizabeth from New Jersey in September 1942. As leader of 200 men, he landed in Scotland and drove with them to Whittington Barracks where they joined with the British 51st Highlanders. He lists the three main survival lessons he learned from the seasoned English soldiers: having a batman to back you up, digging a two-man foxhole, and waiting for the ""crack and thump."" Scheffel how the ""crack and thump"" lesson would later save his life when he was seriously wounded when attacking the Siegfried Line. From England he went to Algeria with the British troops on the Scythia. The ship is torpedoed off the coast limps into Algiers. Scheffel made the decision to leave the British Highlanders and join up with American 9th Division in February 1943. The division went into Tunisia. Then he was sent to spend another month with the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W. G. (Bill) Campbell. Campbell grew up in Texas, attended Texas A&M, and married in 1939 before joining the Army in 1943. After training, he went to Australia, Dutch New Guinea, Palu, Leyte, and Mindanao. He describes riding in amphibious vehicles and interacting with the natives. He discusses various illnesses he had during the war and his interactions with his brother, an engineer. He also describes surveying work in some detail. After the war, Campbell eventually became a public school teacher.

Excerpt from The Group - Friends Led Lawton's Integration Effort.The Group (Lawton, Okla.) Civil rights - Oklahoma - Lawton African Americans - Oklahoma - Lawton Equality

A questionnaire on minorities employed filled out by Cole's Cleaners.

A report survey on Equal Job Opportunity in Lawton, compiled by Mary McClure.

Letter from the Group to Charlie Payne, Lawton Public Housing Authority saying that public housing should not be concentrated in any one area of the city.

Undated letter from Margaret Wheeler, Secretary of Human Relations Group to Major General Charles P. Brown, Commanding General, Fort Sill concerning segregation at Plaza Trailer Courts, Doe Park.

Full booklet of the History of Northside Chamber of Commerce.

Full book of Lawton Wonder City of the Wonder Section Oklahoma

Full description of the history of the African American social group, the Group, from Lawton, Oklahoma. The Group (Lawton, Okla.) Civil rights - Oklahoma - Lawton African Americans - Oklahoma - Lawton Equality

Letter advising of meeting of the society on Dec. 5, in the Comanche County courthouse. The society was organized in April, 1964 and publishes the "Prairie Lore" quarterly. William J. Becker was president at the time.

Written discussion from the civil rights movement, the Group, The Way it Was. The Group (Lawton, Okla.) Civil rights - Oklahoma - Lawton African Americans - Oklahoma - Lawton Equality

Letter from Juliet J. Sharp, home economist, Comanche County Community Action to Sarah E. Ownes [sic.] requesting two woman to be on the county PIC Board.

Letter from Nancy G. Feldman, Chairman of Mid-South Field Officer, United States Commission on Civil Rights to the editor of the Lawton Constitution pointing out inaccuracies in the paper's coverage of the Open Meeting of the Oklahoma State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on civil rights.

Letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Housing Assistance Administration to Lawton Human Relations Group in reply to letter concerning proposed low-rent housing in Lawton.

Two newspaper articles from the Group titled, "Few Nogroes Seeking Jobs, Citians Say," from the Lawton Constitution and from the Lawton Morning Press "Discrimination in Jobs over, City Panel Told."

Newspaper article detailing Mayor Wayne Gilley of Lawton, Oklahoma, discussing job policies with civil rights community the Group.

Description from Minutes of the Group from December 1967.

Description from Minutes of the Group, from November 1967.

Description from Minutes of the Group from November 1967.

Description from Minutes of the Group from October 1967.