Celebrating Oklahoma’s Heroes

Honoring the men and women of Oklahoma who served in the Uniformed Services of the United States and those who continue to serve our country today.

The Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting our uniformed services, in particular, honoring those Oklahomans, living or deceased, who serve or have served in the military.of outstanding service to our nation.

The Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation was founded in 1999 by Major General (retired), Douglas O. Dollar, USA. We are an IRS Section 501(c)(3) organization having the purpose of honoring those Oklahomans, living or deceased, who serve or have served in the military, with records of extraordinary service to our nation. The annual induction is held every year on or around Veterans Day.

Each year the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation selects ten Oklahomans to be inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame (OKMHF) from many nominees submitted by nominators from across the country. The criteria for the rating system are threefold: (1) the military record of the individual, to include heroic and/or extraordinary leadership action, service or sacrifice, principal awards achieved; (2) civilian public service and/or patriotic service, to include civic work, service to veterans, projects influencing or motivating youth, helping the handicapped or disabled, community improvements, and leadership positions, etc.; and (3) an established Oklahoma connection.

Since 1999, the OKMHF has recognized 188 local heroes and groups, of which 124 are officers, 57 enlisted, and 7 “groups/others.” These distinguished military personnel include Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, 6 groups, 1 NASA and 1 Frontiersman. Of the 179 inductees, 33 are recipients of the Medal of Honor, and 11 are recipients of the MG Douglas O. Dollar Distinguished Public Service Award. Sometimes a unit is given recognition, such as the 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment “Buffalo Soldiers” (2002); the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore (2005); ROTC’s centennial (2016); and the Oklahoma National Guard (2017).  Several Native American Tribes have been recognized in the form of individual servicemen, as well as groups, including the Comanche Code Talkers (2011); the Choctaw Code Talkers (2012); and the Pawnee Code Talkers (2015) for their service during WWI and WWII.

The Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation has formed an important partnership with the Oklahoma History Center. Without this partnership we would not have a base of operation and a permanent site within the Oklahoma Military History Display Area.

The Oklahoma History Center provides space for meetings of the OKMHF Board and logistical/event planning assistance. The Board is comprised of dedicated volunteers who believe in honoring the extraordinary and/or heroic actions of our service men and women who have Oklahoma connections.

The Oklahoma History Center established a permanent home located in the military display area to present all the inductees of the OKMHF. This includes an interactive electronic display “kiosk’”featuring the stories of each member of the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. Recognition received at the event from government officials/dignitaries, and from the press are permanently recorded and displayed for public viewing.

Please visit this wonderful display honoring our Heroes on your next trip to the Oklahoma History Center.