(MUSKOGEE, OK) – U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn and U.S. Rep. Dan Boren today each introduced legislation to rename the Veterans Affairs medical center in Muskogee after a Native American war hero.

 

            U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe is a co-sponsor of the Senate version.

 

            Under the legislation, the Muskogee center would be known as the Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Montgomery, a Medal of Honor winner and Cherokee Indian, died June 11, 2002, at age 84.

 

            “Jack C. Montgomery was a true Oklahoma hero and embodied the American spirit of service, honor and sacrifice,” Dr. Coburn said. “I’m proud we can honor this great man’s legacy and service to the country by adding his name to a place he devoted much time and effort. We are truly thankful to Mr. Montgomery and other veterans for protecting our freedoms.”

 

            Before drafting the legislation, both Dr. Coburn and Boren consulted with veterans across Oklahoma and found much support for the move.

 

“I never had the honor of meeting Mr. Montgomery, but his life and legacy is far reaching.  The stories told of his volunteerism and humility is a lesson for the young and old alike,” Boren said. “It’s a privilege to sponsor this legislation in the U.S. House.  Renaming the Muskogee VA center is a fitting tribute to a man of such courage, conviction and character.”

 

            Montgomery was born in Long, Okla., in Sequoyah County before the Great Depression and enlisted in the famous 45th Division Thunderbirds of the Oklahoma National Guard while attending Bacone College in Muskogee.

 

 

            President Franklin D. Roosevelt awarded the Medal of Honor to Montgomery for his actions near Padiglione, Italy, on Feb. 22, 1944, resulting in 11 enemy kills and the taking of 32 prisoners. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Montgomery was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with Cluster (wounded more than once) as well as other military honors.

 

            After his release from the Army, Montgomery began a career with the VA in Muskogee and tried to rejoin the 45th Division when the Korean War began. After he learned Medal of Honor winners could not return to active duty, Montgomery volunteered as an instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia.

 

            Upon his discharge from service in 1953, Montgomery resumed his career with the Veterans Administration. After retiring, he continued his service by volunteering at the Muskogee VA center, spending more than 750 hours driving a shuttle to transport veterans from the parking lot to the hospital.