Hooah: Oklahoma National Guard Battles Fires

Oklahoman receives long overdue recognition for World War II service

Staff Sgt. Garney Christopher, of Sallisaw, Okla., was presented with seven awards that he earned during World War II, but never received. The awards presentation took place in Sallisaw on Thursday, February 18.



Photo of
Staff Sgt. Garney Christopher
in Europe during World War II

Christopher, who is now 84, was drafted into the U.S. Army at 18 as a light machine gunner. He served mostly in Europe in Gen. Patton's Third Army during four major battles. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as a machine gun crew squad leader. Christopher also helped liberate the Gusen Concentration Camp in Austria. He was honorably discharged on May 6, 1946.

During the ceremony, Christopher was presented the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button.

Staff Sgt Garney Christopher receives

seven awards he earned during World War II from
Maj Gen Myles Deering adjutant general for Oklahoma
Photo Capt Geoff Legler Oklahoma National Guard Office of Public Affairs

Oklahoma National Guard officials to discuss deployment

Officials with the Oklahoma National Guard will discuss the possible deployment of thousands of troops with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the Adjutant General for Oklahoma, is scheduled to speak about the potential deployment Wednesday afternoon in Oklahoma City. A Guard spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment, and the governor's office would not confirm the deployment ahead of the 3 p.m. news conference.

The 45th IBCT is the state's largest National Guard element - about 2,600 soldiers from across the state.

The combat team was mobilized in 2007 for a 1-year deployment to Iraq. At the time, it was the largest deployment of state guard members since the Korean War.