Henryetta, Oklahoma in the 1920's was a coal producing town. Over the July 4th weekends, the town celebrated King Koal Karnival. In 1923, the local VFW, American Legion and residents started a fund raising event at the festival to bring a Doughboy to town. Veterans operated concession stands at the "Karnival" and in the fall fund raising brought about the funds necessary to purchase the statue.
The plans for this Doughboy were quite grand, but grand expectations come with a cost. Henryetta raised the funds for the statue, but forgot to plan the expense of the pedistal that the Doughboy deserved. Consequently, for the next nineteen months, the statue was displayed proudly in storefront windows while funds were raised for an affordable pedistal.
Eventually, a pedistal was constructed in the center of 4th and Main. July 4, 1925 saw its dedication in the intersection of two highways. Through its history here, the Federal government continually requested its relocation, but was met with strong rejection of the citizens of the town. The conclusion of its history here ends in 1969, when the city council agreed with a decision to move the statue, again. This time, the statue was moved to the lawn of the library.
In 1991, the plaque (text below) that is on its current pedistal was created. This bronze plaque remember all of the local veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country.
In 1999, the Doughboy once again was on the move. This time he traveled 100 miles to Pawhuska for restoration work. After repairs, cleaning and a preservative sealant was applied, the Henryetta Doughboy was presented again to the citizens of the town in November.
The plate under this Doughboy has the following text:
The “American Doughboy”, represents the American Soldier of WWI. He is charging over the top toward the enemy line, carrying full field equipment, he was erected as a memorial to the war veterans, “By the People.” He arrived in Henryetta on Monday, November 26, 1923.
This memorial plate bears inscription, “To the memory of all in this area who paid the supreme sacrifice in all wars. Was cast, “By the People,” the year of 1991”.
World War I
- Adams, Martin L.
- Anderson, Frank
- Arnold, Balie
- Banks, Hubert M.
- Barrie, Sapper A.
- Bibbe, Williams A.
- Boerstler, Harry E.
- Cullen, Norman A.
- Guthrie, Gavin T.
- Haislip, Eurla O.
- Kulas, Harry
- Phillips, Cecil B.
- Teague, Julian F.
- Tippie, Charles E.
- Tucci, Guisseppe
World War II
- Baird, Charles L.
- Blackmon, Jesse C.
- Brown, Claud A.
- Brown, Elbert L., Sr.
- Bungard, Harvey B.
- Bungard, Jack
- Caldwell, C.A.
- Calhoun, Kenneth D.
- Creech, Burl L.
- Dellinger, Lloyd A.
- Eastham, Ernest
- Edwards, Norland
- Ehrlich, C.H.
- Ellis, Donald E.
- Ellis, James L.
- Flake, Caswell A., Jr.
- Fontaine, Charles E.
- Geary, Leonard D.
- Gonderman, Raymond
- Hamilton, Jack
- Hedrick, Calvin K.
- Holliday, L.L.
- Hott, Earl D.
- Hold, Frankie S.
- Howard, Nippy W.
- Howard W.R. Bill
- Kaler, Roy W.
- Lackey, Marvin Toots
- Lambert, Paul R.
- Lester, S.T.
- Lewis, Chester C.
- McGill, Edward L.
- McIntyre, Jack
- McKay, John E.
- McLaughlin, Daniel C.
- McMorris, Allen R.
- Masero, Steve
- Montgomery, Carl S.
- Murphy, Buck
- New, Eldred W.
- Norman, Ethel
- Parker, Delmar A., Jr.
- Parker, Wilbur H.
- Peavler, Roy M.
- Porter, Elmer
- Richardson, Merle
- Robnett, Frankie N.
- Runyan, Marcel V.
- Sams, John N.
- Sharp, Gomer N.
- Sisemore, Lloyd L.
- Sisson, Glenn R.
- Sisson, John R.
- Sites, William J.
- Stall, Joseph Jr.
- Teague, Foster
- Thompson, Thomas J.
- Tomlinson, Leonard L.
- Turan, Fritz G.
- Whiteley, Fred
- Willis, Robert J.
- Wynne, Richard C.
Korean War
- Madden, David E.
- Whiteman, M.H. Buddy
- Winn, Harry Jr.
Vietnam War
- Crawford, Michael A.
- Grundy, Anthony