Oklahoma Journeys

Week of June 3, 2007

Clarence Tinker Disappears June 6, 1942

This week on Oklahoma Journeys Clarence Tinker bids us farewell. Tinker was the first Native American 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 of this week's Oklahoma Journeys: Celebrating our Centennial from the Oklahoma Historical Society.

From the Oklahoma Historical Society, this is Oklahoma Journeys: Celebrating our Centennial. I'm Michael Dean.

The list of famous military figures from Oklahoma is long and prestigious. One name on that list would be Clarence Tinker of northeastern Oklahoma. Born on the Osage Indian reservation in 1887. Tinker alternated between Catholic schools in Pawhuska and Hominy later attending classes at the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. Tinker finished his education from a military academy in Lexington, Missouri, with oil money from his Osage allotment helping to fund his way. He entered service as a third lieutenant in the Philippines Constabulary serving in combat in the Philippines following the Spanish American war. From the Philippines the young Lieutenant was stationed in Hawaii slowly increasing both his rank and 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 expressed great dissatisfaction 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 manic, 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 attained the rank of Major General the highest rank ever achieved by a Native American in the US Army. By this time Tinker was considered one of the top commanders in any branch of the service but his ability and knowledge of aircraft was often stated as second to none. Following the Battle of Midway Tinker unveiled his plan for a surprise a attack on the enemy facilities on Wake Island. 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 that I wouldn't do myself he stated. It was in this week on June 7th, 1942 when Tinker's plane, shortly after taking off for Wake Island, fell out of formation, disappeared from view and apparently crashed into the ocean losing all that were 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 his father carried to his grave the sincere belief that his son would one day return. The American Indian Gallery at the Oklahoma History Center features an exhibit on Oklahoma Indians who distinguished themselves in the service of our nation. The history center is on NE 23rd Street just east of the state capitol in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Journeys: Celebrating our Centennial is a production of the Oklahoma Historical Society dedicated to the collection, preservation and sharing of our state's past. I’m Michael Dean.