Major William H. (Hank) Miesner, Jr. - Veteran's Park - Broken Arrow, OK
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Max and 99
N 36° 02.486 W 095° 47.419
15S E 248615 N 3992146
Sculpture of Broken Arrow H.S. graduate Major William H. Miesner, located in Veteran's Park along with a Women's War Memorial and statue honoring Colonel Ernest "Chief" Childers
Waymark Code: WM8G1P
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 03/28/2010
Views: 21
The sculpture, depicting Major Miesner, is located in beautiful Veteran's Park, at the NE corner of Main St. and Mason Ave (1111 S. Main St.). The life-size statue itself is on a two foot tall concrete base, and is in a circular landscaped area with lighting. There is a long walkway leading to the monument and a courtyard around the sculpture.
Text on plaque:
Major William H. (Hank) Miesner, Jr.
1939 - 2003
The "American Patriot" statue is in the likeness of then Captain William H. (Hank) Miesner, Jr., a 1957 graduate of Broken Arrow High School. After graduation, Miesner joined the United States Marine Corps and served three years as an infantryman. He then enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 101st Airborne Division for three years as a Paratrooper. In 1965, when the Vietnam War was raging, Miesner re-enlisted in the U.S. Army. He felt a responsibility to his country and told others, "I need to be over there helping those guys! I have skills they need."
Miesner attended the Army's Officer Candidate School, graduating in the top 10 percent of his class, and then trained for the Special Forces. He served two tours of combat duty in Vietnam, first as a Commanding Officer of a Special Forces "A" Detachment and an Airborne Light Infantry Company; later as a Company Commander of Company D, Second Infantry Regiment, First Infantry Division.
His many acts of bravery in Vietnam were recognized by his being awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Silver Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, five Bronze Star Medals, four Air Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and a host of other service medals, honors and awards.
Following the Vietnam War, Miesner continued to serve in the United States Army in a variety of leadership roles, including serving as Director of Training and Doctrine, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, N.C. He retired from active duty in 1987 with the rank of Major. He died in 2003 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Miesner's service to our country wsa honorable and exemplary. his likeness represents all our veterans and honors both Miesner and all veterans.
A Soldier's Soldier
Website pertaining to the memorial: [Web Link]
List if there are any visiting hours:
Sunrise to Sunset
Entrance fees (if it applies): 0
Type of memorial: Statue
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