War Orphans Remembered

Stories told in the book, "Tony Dufflebag . . . and Other Remembrances of the War in Korea," by Clarence G. Oliver Jr. are a mixture of history, memories, journalism and autobiographical experiences that are blended into a fascinating collection.

The title story is of the rescue by two soldiers (both from Ada, Oklahoma) of a 6-year-old Korean orphan boy who was found freezing and starving on the streets in war-ravaged Seoul, South Korea, secreted into protective "adoption" for a few weeks, and how he was cared for and won the hearts of all the soldiers in a front-line Infantry rifle company. 

The author shares feelings about the death of a fellow soldier, thoughts of a young wife and son back home, the dramatic mountain rescue of a critically wounded friend (Sgt. Joe Mac Floyd from Ada), reflects on feelings of a Christian soldier in combat, tells about life-long friendships that develop in wartime, reflects on personal values, beliefs, feelings, commitment, opinions and relates tales of humorous events that occur to and among soldiers, even in a far-off war zone.

The book's "Rifle Company" was Company C, 180th Infantry Regiment, in Oklahoma's famed 45th Infantry Division, manned originally by soldiers from the National Guard unit, "Charlie Company," that was stationed in Ada when the "Thunderbird" Division was called to active duty at the beginning of the Korean War. That same Company had gained fame during World War II and was the unit in which Lt. Ernest Childers, the Medal of Honor recipient from Broken Arrow served with distinction. 

The author, after moving to Broken Arrow, later became close friends with then Lt. Col. Childers and relates some of Childers' history with Company C and their shared pride in being "Thunderbirds." 

Oliver served as a master sergeant in Company C, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, during the Second Winter Campaign of the War in Korea, and it is the experiences of those days that provided the background for the book, "Tony Dufflebag . . . and Other Remembrances of the War in Korea." 

However, Tulsa, Broken Arrow and other Oklahoma residents know the author from a different history—his 32 years as a school administrator in Broken Arrow Public Schools, later as Dean of the School of Education, graduate school professor and then Dean Emeritus at Oral Roberts University, and his years as an award-winning journalist, news editor of The Watonga Republican, managing editor and later editorial writer of the Broken Arrow Ledger and the Broken Arrow Scout newspapers, as well his being a former United States Army Infantry officer.

An officer and member of several state, regional and national organizations, active in church, community and civic work, Oliver is a former member of the Oklahoma State Board of Vocational-Technical Education, serving during the administrations of three governors. He is a board member and corporate secretary of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa.

Oliver also is the author of other writings, including Ethical Behavior-An Administrator's Guide to Ethics and Values in School Administration; One from the Least And Disappearing Generation: A Memoir of a Depression-Era Kid; and was a contributing writer and co-editor of the Broken Arrow Centennial History Book, Broken Arrow: The First Hundred Years.

He was born in Ada, Oklahoma, where he attended public schools and graduated from Ada High School. He attended East Central University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Tulsa, and the United States Army Advanced Officers Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA. He received his master's and doctor's degrees from the University of Tulsa, where he received the Distinguished Alumni recognition in 1986. He was inducted in the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 1989; was honored as the Distinguished Alumnus of East Central State University in 1991.

He and his wife, Vinita, (also from Ada) soon to be married 58 years, have three children, seven grandchildren and a great-grandson.