Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

The Tinker AFB Major Charles B. Hall Airpark, where the Memorial is located, is free and open to the public, generally from dawn to dusk; no pass is required. Tours of the Airpark are self-guided, along a central paved sidewalk, with a network of paved walks branching out to individual aircraft and other features. The Tinker Air Force Base POW / MIA Memorial is located at the far eastern end of the Airpark, at the end of the tour walkway. It is a multi-faceted display of monuments and memorials relating to Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA). While the Memorial exhibits focus on Vietnam-era veterans, POW and MIA from all war eras are included as part of the Memorial. All elements of the Memorial rest on a concrete patio surrounded by lawn, foliage and decorative plantings. Flood lights are used for night illumination of the Flag and Memorial features. The centerpiece is a vertical isometric “chevron” design monument of polished black granite, consisting of 3 joined pillars. The face of the central pillar bears the title “TINKER AIR FORCE BASE POW / MIA MEMORIAL,” above a representation of the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal. Beneath the medal is inscribed the quotation: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty…” The quote is then attributed to President John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961. The central pillar is crested with a bronze eagle in flight, with the base of the bronze wrapped in a multi-colored cloth. The left-wing (north) pillar of the “chevron” features picture representations of crowds of people with signs welcoming ex-POWs home, a group of POWs standing in a formation, a POW being interviewed while in captivity, an ex-POW being reunited with his wife upon his return to the States, a returning serviceman saluting a greeting officer upon his return, a picture of 4 POWs in a “line-up” style picture, a returning officer holding his infant child, a serviceman embracing his wife after deplaning at Andrews AFB, and 2 ex-POWs enjoying food and drink after their release. The right-wing (south) pillar of the “chevron” features pictures of 5 aircraft in flight in a “missing man” formation, an American Flag flying, an aircraft formation in flight, a POW/MIA banner, a ceremonial “empty table” display to honor those unable to attend, a picture of rows of caskets draped with American Flags aboard a transport aircraft returning deceased servicemen to American soil, a POW/MIA bracelet in honor of a serviceman unaccounted for, and a single “dog tag” identification tag used to identify and mark casualties. Three brick and concrete benches are located to the front (west), left (north), and right (south) of the central feature to afford rest and multiple viewing angles for visitors. On the rear of the central monument is inscribed: “This memorial was made possible by the generous contributions of:” (Note: 8 committees, businesses, city agencies, and individuals are recognized) “ Dedicated 17 September 2004” (Note: the Executive Director of the National League of POW/MIA Families dedicated the memorial.) Behind the central monument is a tall bricked wall with a concrete cap, displaying 3 polished black granite plaques. Near the top, toward the outer edges, is one plaque titled “POW” on the left (north) and a second plaque titled “MIA” on the right (south). In the center of the wall is a third plaque with a POW/MIA emblem and the words: “You Are Not Forgotten,” and other dedicatory information. Centered between the central monument and the wall is a flagpole that flies the POW/MIA Flag. In front (west) of the wall on the left (north) and right (south) are 2 triangular-shaped polished black granite stands with pictorial images and inscriptions. The left stand’s theme is the Hanoi Hilton prison, where American POWs were held during the Vietnam War, and shows pictures of the main entrance of the prison, and a torture chamber on one side. On the other side is the inscription: “The Hanoi Hilton” “This brick is an original piece of the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” The Hanoi Hilton was used as a place for the North Vietnamese Army to torture and interrogate captured soldiers, mostly Americans, mainly pilots shot down during bombing raids. When prisoners of war began to be released from this and other North Vietnamese prisons in the late 1960s and early 1970s, their testimonies revealed widespread and systematic abuse of all American Prisoners of War. With this brick we can be assured that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.” The brick being referred to, is mounted on top of the stand in a glass enclosure, with a small identification plate. The right stand’s themes are POWs and The Code of Conduct. On the left (north) side is a captioned image of 5 American POWs behind bars at the Hanoi Hilton prison. On the right (south) side is inscribed: “Prisoner of War * Code of Conduct,” followed by Articles I – VI of the Code, enumerated and defined. Mounted on top of the stand is a bronze statue of 2 POWs walking, with one assisting the other. The one being assisted carries a long walking staff for support in his right hand. On the east end of the patio, on the south periphery, is a small framed dark gray plaque mounted on a concrete base and inscribed: “In Memory of Staff Sergeant Elmer “Larry” Holden HH-3 “Jolly Green 23” Flight Engineer MIA 9 June 1968 Found 9 Nov 2002 Repatriated 14 Feb 2003”. (Note: Tinker AFB is named for Major General Clarence L. Tinker, a native Oklahoman who lost his life while on a combat mission against Wake Island in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, during World War II.) (Note: The POW/MIA flag consists of a black silhouette of a prisoner of war (POW) before a guard tower with guard, and a strand of barbed wire on a white disc. The letters “POW” and “MIA” frame a 5-pointed star, and appear above the disc. The disc rests on a black and white wreath, and the words “You Are Not Forgotten” appear below the wreath in white. All features are on a black field overall. The flag was created and then officially recognized by Congress in conjunction with the Vietnam War POW/MIA issues. It has become a symbol for POW/MIA veterans from all American wars. Congress has mandated that the flag be flown by designated Federal agencies on 6 holidays: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day.) (Note: The commonly used term “Dog Tag,” refers to military identification tags issued to service personnel. They are worn in combat, during field training, aerial flight, and other circumstances where they could be used to identify the wearer. They have personnel information about the individual, including name, service number, blood type, and religious preference. Tags are normally issued in sets of two to permit one to be collected from the individual, as circumstances warrant, and one to remain with the individual.) (Note: The Code of Conduct is official guidance for the behavior of members of the Armed Forces of the United States, both on the battlefield and also while in captivity.) (Note: The designation HH-3 “Jolly Green 23” refers to the U.S. Air Force Sikorsky heavy helicopter (HH-3) variant. It was nicknamed the “Jolly Green Giant” and was the first air-refuelable helicopter, which provided virtually unlimited operational range and loitering capability. The aircraft was dedicated to combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions to recover downed airmen during the Vietnam War. It was typically manned by a crew of 4, and was equipped with armor plating, self-sealing fuel tanks, and armament, to protect itself during rescues. It also mounted a high-speed rescue hoist. The aircraft arrived in Vietnam in 1967 and was used throughout the combat zone. “Jolly Green 23” was the aircraft callsign.)

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Date of Installation:

September 17, 2004

Organization Responsible for Installation:

U.S. Government & 8 associated sponsors

Memorial War Era(s):

Persian Gulf
Vietnam
Korea
WWII
WWI
Other

Location:

Tinker AFB, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma 73145. Access at the Tinker Gate/Air Depot Boulevard exit to Tinker Air Force Base, off Interstate Highway I-40/US Hwy 270, south of Midwest City, Oklahoma. The Airpark in which the Memorial is located is east of the Visitor Center (Building 6611), prior to arrival at the Federally-controlled access entrance - Tinker Gate. Enter the Visitor Center parking area and proceed east across the lot to the east exit onto S. Air Depot Boulevard. Cross the 1-way (outbound) Boulevard and enter an iron-gated parking area to the immediate front (east). An entry sign identifies Major Charles B. Hall, for whom the Airpark is named. The Airpark is also easily distinguishable by a number of Air Force aircraft on display and a flagpole on the south, near the entry.

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Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma – POW / MIA Memorial

 

Published on October 13, 2017