CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Published: 02-Apr-2010

Each Monday during session, the Oklahoma House of Representatives honors a veteran by inviting him or her to come to the Capitol and open session by leading the House of Representatives in the Pledge of Allegiance. A citation and a flag that has been flown over the Capitol are presented to those veterans who so serve.

Reps. Ken Luttrell, Co-Chair of the Native American Caucus, and Anastasia Pittman, Caucus Secretary, who are both members of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators, recently  recognized Dixon Palmer, Sr., who served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945. Palmer served in the 45th Division, which saw 511 combat days during World War II. He served every one of those days. Palmer, who will be 90 years old this September, is the oldest member of the Kiowa Tribe to serve in WWII and the oldest member of the elite Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society.

“The state of Oklahoma holds our veterans in the highest esteem and greatly appreciates the sacrifices and contributions they have made to preserve our freedoms and way of life,” Luttrell, a Ponca City Democrat said.

Palmer has an array of medals and honors to his credit, including the Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal with two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, the WWII Victory Medal, the WWII Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Medal and the American Campaign Medal.

“Dixon Palmer served this country with honor and I am so proud to get this opportunity to recognize him,” Pittman, an Oklahoma City Democrat, said. Palmer’s wife, son, grandchildren and co-workers of the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society were also in attendance.

Both Luttrell and Pittman are members of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators.