Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame set to induct new members

1st Lt. Donald J. Gott, U.S. Army Air Forces, was born in Arnett and grew up in Fargo. A B-17 pilot, Gott received the Medal of Honor posthumously for trying to save a wounded crew member who could not bail out of a heavily damaged plane during a mission over Saarbrucken, Germany, on Nov. 9, 1944. His radio operator's arm had been severed, preventing him from bailing out. Gott ordered the rest of the crew to bail out. His co-pilot stayed with him. Gott realized the wounded man needed immediate medical aid and attempted a landing. While making the approach, the airplane exploded, killing all on board. Gott is buried in Harmon (OK) Cemetery.

Pfc. John N. Reese Jr. was born in Muskogee and grew up in Tulsa. He enlisted in the Army at Pryor. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for combat actions in an attack on Paco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippine Islands, Feb. 9, 1945. Reese's platoon attacked the railroad station, which was defended by 300 Japanese soldiers. He was killed reloading his rifle. He was 21. He is buried at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. The Central High School Foundation placed a plaque in his honor at the Tulsa school. A section of Oklahoma Highway 20 between Pryor and Salina was named after Reese.

Major Fred A. Hancock, U.S. Army, was born at Oktaha and grew up in Okmulgee. In 1927, Hancock joined the National Guard's 45th Infantry Division and volunteered for the newly formed Army Parachute Infantry. He became Commander of Company C., 1st Battalion, 502nd Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The division jumped into France on D-Day and his company repelled a German counterattack. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. When his unit jumped into Holland and was attacked by enemy forces, he reorganized his men to enable his company to repel the German attack. He was seriously wounded and awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. In 2000, a stone monument was erected in Carentan, France, in his honor. He died Jan. 16, 2004, in Bellflower, Calif.