Alva in Woods County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
45th Infantry Div.
| | Alva Mural Society | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024
1. 45th Infantry Division Marker
Oklahomas celebrated Thunderbird Division saw extensive action both in WWII and Korea. The 45ths Signal Unit was based in Alva.
Erected 2012 by Alva Mural Society. (Marker Number 23.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Korean • War, World II.
Location. 36° 48.211′ N, 98° 39.874′ W. Marker is in Alva, Oklahoma, in Woods County. It is at the intersection of Barnes Street and Government Street, on the right when traveling east on Barnes Street. The marker and mural are located on the west facade of the building at this address, near the northwest corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 Barnes Street, Alva OK 73717, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alva POW Camp (a few steps from this marker); Burning of the Castle on the Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Woods County Centennial Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Thunderbirds (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Supply Trail (about 300 feet away); In Honor of the Growth of Cooperative Extension Continuing Education in Woods County (about 300 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away); Monfort Drug and Book Store / Jim and Mary Holder (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alva.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. 45th Infantry Division - Thunderbirds
Also see . . . 45th Infantry Division (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The 45th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the United States Army, most associated with the Oklahoma Army National Guard, from 1920 to 1968. Headquartered for most of its history(Submitted on February 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the guardsmen fought in both World War II and the Korean War.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 20242. 45th Infantry Division MarkerLooking east along Barnes Street. The marker and mural face the alley (on the right), perpendicular to Barnes Street (on the left). The marker is mounted below the bottom-left corner of the mural.
The 45th Infantry Division guardsmen saw no major action until they became one of the first National Guard units activated in World War II in 1941. They took part in intense fighting during the invasion of Sicily and the attack on Salerno in the 1943 Italian Campaign. Slowly advancing through Italy, they fought at Anzio until the capture of Rome. After landing in France during Operation Dragoon, they joined the 1945 drive into Germany that ended the War in Europe.
After a brief inactivation and subsequent reorganization as a unit restricted to Oklahomans, the division returned to duty in 1951 for the Korean War. The division remained on the front lines in such engagements as Old Baldy Hill and Hill Eerie until the end of the war, returning to the U.S. in 1954.
The division remained a National Guard formation until its downsizing in 1968.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024
3. 45th Infantry Division Mural
The mural was painted by Robbie Pierce and Don Prechtel in 2012.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
