Oklahoma House honors Tulsa native, Vietnam War Veteran
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The Oklahoma House recognized Tulsa native and Vietnam War Veteran Joey Hobart Lewis Crutcher as this week's Veteran of the week on Monday.
Rep. Monroe Nichols led the presentation recognizing Crutcher on the House floor.
"We proudly honor Mr. Crutcher as our Veteran of the Week, celebrating his unwavering commitment to our country," said Nichols. "His service in the Vietnam War stands as a testament to the strength of American veterans. We must continue to remember the sacrifices these men and women make to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans."
Crutcher's military career began with basic training at Fort Polk in Louisiana.
He then continued his Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.
He served in the 145th Transportation Battalion in South Korea.
Crutcher volunteered for a tour in Vietnam in 1967, fighting alongside the 9th Infantry Division and participating in the Tet Offensive in Feb. 1968.
He received an honorable discharge as an E-4 from Fort Sill in Oklahoma in June of 1969.
His service earned him several awards and recognitions including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Service Star, the Sharpshooter Rifleman Badge, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device-60.
"Honoring Crutcher as Veteran of the Week serves as a reminder of the sacrifices all veterans have made to protect Americans from foreign and domestic threats," Nichols said.