From time to time, local media captures stories of veterans who served in WWII and other wars. When these articles are available the Military History Center will provide a link to these remarkable stories.
Major General Thomas H. Mancino, Adjutant General of Oklahoma, was the featured speaker for Floral Haven Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens’ 2025 Memorial Day service — a special event honoring veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. A Tulsa native and combat veteran, General Mancino has served in the Oklahoma National Guard since 1986. Appointed by Governor Stitt in 2021, he now oversees more than 9,000 service members as the state’s senior military advisor. Watch the video here!
Oklahoma veteran Dale Richard Luton served as a Private First Class with the 2nd Marine Division from 1941 to 1945. He fought in the Pacific Theater, participating in key battles at Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands), Tarawa Atoll (Gilbert Islands), Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), and New Zealand. Watch his interview to hear his firsthand account of these pivotal moments in history.
Additionally, a Japanese medical satchel that Luton recovered on the battlefield is on display at the museum. Visit us to see this unique artifact!