Oklahoma Journeys
Week of June 1, 2008
Clarence Tinker Disappears June 6, 1942
This week on Oklahoma Journeys Clarence Tinker bids us farewell. Tinker was the first American Indian in US Army history to attain the rank of Major General and the first American general to die in World War II. General Tinker played an important role in the allied victory during the Second World War, and he’s the topic on this week’s Oklahoma Journeys from the Oklahoma History Center.
From the Oklahoma History Center, this is Oklahoma Journeys. I’m Michael Dean.
The list of famous military figures from Oklahoma is long and prestigious. One name on that list is Clarence Tinker of north central Oklahoma. Born on the Osage Indian reservation in 1887, Tinker attended schools in Pawhuska and Hominy then later attended classes at the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. Tinker finished his education at the Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, using oil money from his Osage allotment to fund his way. He entered service as a third lieutenant in the Philippines Constabulary following the Spanish-American War. From the Philippines the young Lieutenant was stationed in Hawaii slowly increasing both his rank and his family. By the time he left Hawaii Tinker was a second lieutenant, married and had a young son. Serving as a training instructor during World War One Tinker, like most Army officers at the time, expressed great disappointment with being unable to join in the action on the front lines in Europe and some historians blame this experience for Tinker’s great, almost maniac enthusiasm to see combat years later.
Following World War One “Tink”, as his friends called him, realized his potential as an aviator and entered the Army Air Corps. Tinker climbed through the ranks until one month after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor he was promoted to the rank of Major General, the highest rank ever achieved by an American Indian in the United States Army. By this time Tinker was considered one of the top commanders in any branch of service and his ability and knowledge of aircraft was often stated as second to none. Tinker took command of the Hawaiian Department following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Promoted to major general in early 1942, he was placed in charge of the newly created Seventh Air Force at Hickam Field, Hawaii.
A proponent of aggressive bombing tactics, Tinker led four B-24 Liberator bombers on a raid to Wake Island on June 5, 1942. This plan involved a long unprotected flight for Tinker’s bombers and given the great risk, he chose to fly one of the planes himself. “I wouldn’t order a man to do something I wouldn’t do myself,” he said. Leaving Midway Island on June 6, his plane crashed at sea, killing all aboard. The reason for the crash remains a mystery, and no bodies were ever recovered. Hearing the news, the Osage, back in Oklahoma, danced in memory and honor for their lost general. And even today members of the Osage Tribe honor his memory with a special song. You can learn about Major General Clarence Tinker and other Oklahoma Indians who have served their country by visiting the American Indian Gallery at the Oklahoma History Center, NE 23rd Street just east of the State Capitol in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Journeys is a production of the Oklahoma History Center dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing our state’s past. I’m Michael Dean.