Oil Patch Warrior
Posted by: 
budzeerally
N 34° 10.421 W 097° 08.044
14S E 671974 N 3782987
In 1943 a group of 44 oil field workers from Ardmore, Oklahoma went to England to drill for oil.
Waymark Code: WM97T4
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 07/10/2010
Views: 33
This memorial is located in downtown Ardmore, Oklahoma next to the Chamber of Commerce. The memorial consists of a 7 foot bronze statue of the "Oil Patch Warrior" mounted on a stone base. There are three granite memorial stones and a fountain. The paving stones are engraved with names of local veterans, also. Although the memorial is in the center of town it is a quiet place with the adjoining streets busy with traffic. The Oil Patch Warrior memorial is adjacent to Memorial Park.
The "Oil Patch Warrior" memorial is engraved as following:
Oil, critical for the security of any nation, was a coveted commodity during World War II. An increased supply was essential if the allied forces were to win the war. Unknown to all but a few, Oil had been discovered in england’s Fabled Sherwood Forest. Though production levels were too low to make a significant impact.
Noble Drilling corporation, in partnership with Fain-Porter Drilling Company, drilled over 100 wells during a one year period and increased production from 300 to 3,000 barrels per day.
The “Oil Patch Warrior” is a duplicate of the statue erected in honor of the efforts of the drilling crews on the site that once was a productive oilfield and is now dedicated as a nature preserve in the heart of the Sherwood Forest.
Participants in the Sherwood Forest effort in 1943:
Phillip E Albritton, Dewey Aycock, Joe S. Barker, William M. Burnett, Robert M. Christie, Elray R. Davis, George G. Dearman, Herman Douthit, Lewis V. Dugger, E.G. Gates, Gerry E. Griffin, James E. Harding, De Talt Haveley, Everett H. Hemphill, Ray A. Hileman, Edgar Holt, Wm. C. Francis Johnston, Virgil L. Latham, A.L. Long, A.J. May, L.B. McGill, John H McIlwain, Jr., Ray F. Miller, albert A. Morton, J.W. Nickle, Lloyd Noble, Carl G. Norberg, L.M. “Pete” Oaks, E.E. Olvey, Frank M. Porter, clement M. riedinger, L.P. Robinson, Eugene P. rosser, Allen Rutherford, Gordon O. Sams, Clarence Sikes, J.L. Waits, Woody W. Walden, Donald E. Walker, G Christie Watson, Albert Fl “Bob” Webster, Joe Townsen Webster.
In grateful appreciation to:
The International Society of Energy Advocates
Energy advocates was formed in 1974 to raise the level of public awareness on energy issues. Energy is a basic requirement for life. Access to all forms of energy through the development and conservation of natural resources is vital to our quality of life and national security. The former oilfield in Sherwood Forrest now a nature preserve serves as a fitting example for energy production and environmental responsibility. Working with British Counterparts the Energy Advocates Commissioned The original “Oil Patch Warrior” sculpture that resides in Sherwood Forrest. Their unselfish devotion to the energy industry has served our country well. Their untiring efforts have resulted in a lasting monument in Nottinghamshire, England and Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Memorial Square
Ardmore Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Dedicated on November 10, 2001
A wing of the monument has the following inscriptions:
In Remembrance---
Of those Veterans who served in times of war and conflict to protect freedom.
In Remembrance—
Of those Veterans who served in times of peace to maintain freedom.
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
John F. Kenney January 20, 1961
Date of Dedication: 11/10/2001
Property Permission: Public
Access instructions: There is a small parking lot located just South of the Memorial.
Location of waymark:
400 E. Main
Ardmore, OK USA
Commemoration: Honoring the Oil field Workers who were secretly commisioned to drill for oil in Sherwood Forrest during World War II.
Access times: Not listed
Website for Waymark: Not listed
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