Courange into Hall of Fame

Purcell’s Terry Courange was honored last Saturday night with a banquet for induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.

The banquet was held at the Embassy Suites in Norman for 12 distinguished veterans.

SP4 Courange was born in 1946 in Great Bend, KS and graduated from Purcell High School in 1964.

A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Courange lives in Purcell.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and became part of Company D, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.

He served in Vietnam from June of 1967 to May of 1968. During his year-long tour, he earned two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal with Valor device and the Combat Infantry Badge.

The Hall of Fame said he demonstrated heroic action in combat on several occasions.

Also among the honored veterans was LTJG Douglas Baker, who was born in McClain County but graduated from Lindsay High School.

He as a Naval aviator and considered an Ace. His 16.33 enemy aircraft destroyed ranks him 62nd of All American Aces and 6th of USN and USNR pilots.

The mission of the Hall of Fame is to honor the men and women of Oklahoma who served in the Uniformed Services of the United States, demonstrating extraordinary acts of courage, heroism or gallantry, and who continue to serve our country and communities today, as well as educating the public, especially the state’s youth, about military service to our nation.

“These honorees make us proud to wear the uniform of the United States Military and to support those who do, and grateful to be a citizen of the great state of Oklahoma and the greatest nation in the world, the United States of America,” a Hall spokesman said.