This cache is one of several that pay tribute to the history and the students that made Cameron University Southwest Oklahoma's premier institution of higher education. You are looking for a micro; bring your own writing instrument.
While Cameron University is proud of every one of its students, there are a handful who deserve a special mention. This group of Aggies put their lives on the line to protect our country, and some of them gave their lives to preserve freedom. This cache honors them.
Staff Sgt. George Dennis Keathley attended Cameron State Agricultural College in 1931-32. He earned numerous citations during World War II, including 2 Bronze Stars for heroism. He was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor for his actions saving the lives of his fellow solders at Mount Altuzzo, Italy, in September 1944, during which he was mortally wounded by a grenade.
Command Sgt. Major Bennie Adkins attended Cameron State Agricultural College in the mid 1950s. He joined the Special Forces in 1961 and spent three tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions March 1966 at Camp A Shau in which he risked his live and was wounded multiple times carrying wounded soldiers to safety. (Sadly, CSM Adkins succumbed to COVID-19 on April 17, 2020, at the age of 86.)
Capt. Gary Michael Rose enlisted in the Army in 1967 and became a Special Forces medic. During Operation Tailwind in Laos in 1970, he was wounded multiple times and survived a helicopter crash as he cared for other wounded soldiers. While he was stationed at Fort Sill in 1977, Rose earned his bachelor’s degree from Cameron University. He was awarded both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Freedom for his heroic actions during Operation Tailwind.
Lt. Col. Robert S. Johnson enrolled in Cameron State Agricultural College’s Civilian Pilot Training Program in the years leading up to World War II. Serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces, he flew 91 combat missions and downed 27 enemy aircraft, qualifying him as one of our country’s top combat aces. For his actions, Johnson received the Distinguished Service Cross.
Col. Ervin C. Ethell graduated from Cameron State Agricultural College in 1941, and earned his pilot’s license while he and Bob Johnson were Aggies. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces, was commissioned as an officer and requested duty in Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in November 1942. While flying a reconnaissance mission over Tunisia, his fighter group engaged a German squadron. He downed five aircraft (only four were confirmed, denying him the title of "ace") during the battle. He was the sole Allied survivor of that engagement.
Lt. Col. Michael E. Sloniker, a 1965 graduate of Cameron State Agricultural College, was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. In April 1972, in an effort to repel advancing North Vietnamese forces, Sloniker was one of a group of American pilots who delivered reinforcements under constant enemy fire.
This cache honors the bravery of these, and countless other Aggies, who served in defense of our country.