Blackwell-Frazier American Legion Post 142, Hominy, Oklahoma

Blackwell-Frazier American Legion Post #142 was organized in 1920, following World War I. The first commander was Earnest Walker who served 1920-1927. The post was originally named after Pvt. Andrew Blackwell, the first known Osage County resident killed in action during World War I. A generation later, 2nd Lt. Clyde M. Frazier’s name was added. He was the first known Hominy resident killed in action during World War II. Post #142 meetings were originally held upstairs over the Dupy Furniture Store located at 124 West Main Street, in Hominy. However, in 1937, Past-Post Commander and Osage County Commissioner Joe Taylor saw an opportunity to purchase the Battery and Tire Shop at 118 South Wood. The building had been originally owned by local resident Joe Stebbins, but ultimately, it was purchased for some back taxes owed. Before long, this quaint little gathering place, became fondly known by its local nickname, the ‘American Legion Hut’. The nickname stuck, and the ‘Hut’ remains the current location for the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary meetings. Being always respectful of our past, on the west wall are the pictures of past post commanders, as well as our community’s current military soldiers. Pvt. Andrew Blackwell (23 December 1893 – 23 May 1918) William “Andrew” Blackwell was a private in the U.S. Army, serving in the 58th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division; during World War I. He was killed in action on 23 May 1918, when the RMS Moldavia was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in the English Channel. In May 1918, the Great War had been raging for four years and the Germans were making every attempt possible to sink enemy shipping, which fueled the war in Europe. That month proved to be a deadly month. Contrary to the notion that the war was beginning to wind-down, news headlines of the day were busy with reports of a number of naval engagements, including one encounter that sank the RMS Moldavia. Indeed, the American public was about to find out that the Great War was far from over. Many battles still had to be fought, and Germany was launching its last major offensive. Making his way to the war front, Pvt. Blackwell was on board the British transport ship, the RMS Moldavia, when it was struck by a single torpedo from a German U-Boat, in the English Channel. Andrew Blackwell perished on 23 May 1918 in the line of duty, along with 55 other American soldiers from the 58th Infantry Regiment. Experts surmised that he and his comrades died instantly. He was 24 years old. Pvt. Blackwell was the first known resident from Osage County to be killed in action, during World War I. At the time, Hominy, Oklahoma was a booming oil-town. The loss reverberated through the community. The people of Hominy would honor his sacrifice; when after the war, the local post of the newly formed American Legion was named the Andrew Blackwell American Legion Post No. 142. Clyde M. Frazier, Jr (29 February 1920 – 5 May 1942) 2nd Lt., Clyde M. Frazier, Jr. was a pilot in the 58th Bombardment Squadron of the 5th Bombardment Group, in the U. S. Army Air Corps (AAF), during World War II. He died on May 5th, 1942 when his airplane crashed during a training exercise at Hickam Field, Hawaii. He received his wings and commission at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, on 29 May 1941. As a 2nd Lieutenant, Frazier served as a Pilot on a B-17 “Flying Fortress” and on an A-20-8, light attack bomber; in the 58th Bomber Squadron of the 5th Bomber Group. He was stationed at Hickam Field, at the time of attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941. During the infamous attack, Frazier’s group suffered heavy losses in men and equipment, including several B-17’s. During the re-organization following Pearl Harbor, the 5th Bomber Group was assigned to the 7th Air Force, based on Hawaii. It remained there until November 1942, when the group transferred to the 13th Air Force, to take part in the campaign in the Solomon Islands. However, Lt. Frazier would not live long enough to join his squadron there. 2nd Lt. Clyde M. Frazier, Jr. died 5 May 1942, when his airplane crashed during a training exercise at Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii. He is listed as DNB (Died Non Battle). Frazier was 22 years old.