45th Infantry Division Museum

Oklahoma City: The museum collects, preserves and displays military history artifacts related to Oklahoma with a focus on the U.S. 45th Infantry Division. Thunderbird Park surrounding the museum displays vehicles, aircraft and artillery.

Tulsa Air and Space Museum

Tulsa: Tulsa played a leading role in flight and mechanic training during World War II, including training England's Royal Air Force pilots. Learn more about Oklahoma's role in WWII aviation through this exhibit.

Oklahoma History Center

Oklahoma City: Museum features Smithsonian quality exhibits that bring to life the voice and visions of Oklahoma through cutting edge research and interpretive programs of the state's rich and diverse history, including the WWII era.

War Memorial Park Museum

Muskogee: Museum with items related to submarine warfare with the main attraction of the USS Batfish submarine. 52 submarines were lost during WWII, but they still live on in a thought-provoking memorial at the War Memorial Park. A series of bronze stands name each ship and its crew.

Oklahoma Heritage Center

Oklahoma City: The Oklahoma Heritage Center celebrates these individuals who have both lived and created the history of our state.

Oklahoma Military Academy Museum

Claremore: Museum devoted to the history of the Oklahoma Military Academy includes WWII exhibits and artifacts.

Cherokee Strip Museum

Alva: A World War II POW Camp was located just south of Alva in the 1940s. More than 5,000 prisoners were interned at a time when the population of Alva itself was only 3,500. Items retained from the camp are on display in the Cherokee Strip Museum, including a remarkable sculpture of an eagle that was hand carved by German Prisoners of War while at the camp.

Oklahoma Centennial WWII Memorial Projects

Statewide: Throughout 2007, the Oklahoma Centennial Commission is planning WWII memorial events and monuments across the state. View a complete list of activities and locations.

Oklahoma WWII POW Camp Locations

Statewide: Many German prisoners of war were housed in Oklahoma during World War II. More than 20,000 Axis captives were held in camps across the state.

Omniplex Science Museum

Oklahoma City: Large museum complex which includes aviation and space exhibits with several WWII vintage aircraft. *Include your local WWII museum exhibit or memorial by e-mailing warstories@oeta.tv.*

Research Materials

The Research Division of the Oklahoma Historical Society

is a repository of books, archival materials and family research records about Oklahoma and its people. The archives include oral histories, photographs, film and video, manuscripts and Oklahoma newspapers on microfilm.

Local Resources: Your community library and historical society are great places to start in researching Oklahoma's rich history - especially local WWII history. Find your library today.

Suggested Reading

Books

The Royal Air Force in Oklahoma: Lives, Loves & Courage of the British Air Crews Trained in Oklahoma During World War II, by Paula Carmack Denson A history of the lives, both English and American, of those living on the Oklahoma prairies during World War II when Royal Air Force cadets were trained in Ponca City and Miami, Oklahoma. Included: first hand accounts by Royal Air Force cadets and the families that adopted them.

The Secret of Sherwood Forest: Oil Production in England During WWII, by Guy H. Woodward

The true story of Americans, including Oklahomans, who led a top secret World War II mission to drill for oil in England's Sherwood Forest -- right under the noses of the German Air Force.

News articles

Only in Oklahoma: WWII hero's service didn't stop with combat , by Gene Curtis, Tulsa World

A bittersweet return: by Chad Previch, The Oklahoman

Only in Oklahoma: Clark became known as 'Patton of the Pacific', by Gene Curtis, Tulsa World

Utah Beach landing is recalled: by David Zizzo, The Oklahoman

Only In Oklahoma: Memorial Day 1945 was a special one, by Gene Curtis, Tulsa World

Couple faced death in German captivity: by Ron Jackson, The Oklahoman

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