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 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 …

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 …

Article describes the history of Star House and the influential Comanche leader, Quanah Parker, who established it. Larry C. Floyd provides background details of the difficult times Quanah Parker faced as a youth and his rise to become the shrewd businessman and political intermediary who entertained politicians, generals and wealthy cattlemen within his home.

Article explores the circumstances surrounding the decision to move starving Rocky Mountain elk from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to the Wichita Mountains National Forest and Game Preserve in southwestern Oklahoma in 1911, and the Progressive conservation ideals behind bringing the elk to Oklahoma.

Article presents a biography of equal education and civil rights activist, Nancy O. Randolph Davis. In her roles as a student, a teacher, and a NAACP Youth Council Sponsor, Nancy O. Randolph Davis fought for equality for African American young people and made possible the advancement of Oklahoma's civil rights movement.

Article describes how Camp Doniphan on the Fort Sill Reservation functioned as a training center for American troops in World War I. Due to the large influx of recruits and lack of supplies and equipment, the soldiers were underprepared for actual combat, and their difficulties are reflected in personal accounts.

Article uses the lives of the Evans and Clark families to demonstrate evolving systems of racial discrimination in the emerging state of Oklahoma.

Index map for Wilbarger County, Texas showing the distribution of census blocks and smaller inset areas for which the U.S. Census Bureau collected data. The plotted map scale is 1:110,538.

Index map for Wilbarger County, Texas showing the distribution of census blocks and smaller inset areas for which the U.S. Census Bureau collected data. The plotted map scale is 1:110,538.

Article covers the history of Fort Sill as an aircraft, artillery unit, and observation balloon training center throughout both World War I and World War II, providing historical context for its importance in the field of military aviation.

Photograph of Geronimo FD E-1, a 1963 Ford-Boardman.

Photograph of Lawton FD 1963 Mack pumper.

Portrait of Amanda Richey, Miss Lawton in 2010.

Portrait of Brooke Jeffus, Miss Lawton of 2012.

Photograph of Lawton Fire Chief, Dewayne Burk. Photo taken at the OSFA Convention in Tulsa.

Photograph of LFD Engine 33, a 1981 Ford-Boardman pumper.

Photograph of LFD Engine 44, a 1981 Ford-Boardman pumper.

Portrait of Jamie Butemeyer, Miss Lawton in 2013.

Photograph of Lawton Brushpumper 6, a 1996 Ford-Casco.

Portrait of Lindsey Allen, Miss Lawton from 2011.