Historical Marker Program

William Ponder

Greer County
Location: on the grounds of the Old Greer County Museum and Hall of Fame, 222 W. Jefferson, Mangum, OK
Coordinates: 34.873322, -99.507031
Material: Granite
Topics: Early Statehood, 1907–1941; Industry/Business; Military

Captain William Thomas Ponder of Mangum, OK joined the Lafayette Flying Corps in France in 1917-1918. He was awarded five French Croix de Guerras and the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism. Ponder outnumbered thirteen to one, destroyed one enemy plane, so demoralizing the enemy they fled back to Germany. Ponder married Jeanine Dezerville of Paris. They settled in Oklahoma and he became city manager. He later worked for Lockheed as a test pilot and instructor. He is one of the few aces to survive WWI.