Recently, October 2025 in going through an old trunk, I discovered a photo album I made about my time in high school and junior college. It also contains various family pictures that I had accumulated. It includes material from Redwood High School senior year (1954) and two years at Hinds Junior College (1954-1956). Lots of pictures of classmates, girl friends and friends. I have started sending these to any of them or their relatives I can find. I have added a caption if I remember any details. This is a very eclectic collection, unlikely to interest anyone, except an ardent enemy. Your forebearance is requested.
Ro
Mel Oakes Photo Album
Jack Kilcrease August 24, 1937 - September 6, 2015
Jack was a dormmate across the hall. He was a funny guy, always upbeat and liked by everyone. He was from Tylertown. Here is his obituary followed by some information on his heroic bravery in Vietnam.
Funeral services for Lieutenant Colonel Jack Larry Kilcrease, United States Army (retired) 78, will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, September 11, 2015 at Tylertown Baptist Church with Reverends Justin Knight, Buddy Day and Jack Boudreaux officiating. Burial will be in the Tylertown Cemetery.
Jack Larry Kilcrease passed away at his residence in Tylertown on Sunday, September 6, 2015, surrounded by his wife and his three children and life-long friend Paula Boyd McGinnis. He was born August 24, 1937, in Tylertown, to the late Fred George and Georgia Holmes Hinson Kilcrease. In addition to his parents, Jack is preceded in death by his sister, Sarah Kilcrease Craft, and his former wife, Anita Breland Kilcrease.
He entered the United States Army in 1956 retired after 32 years of service. Kilcrease later served 13 years with the Department of Justice, New Orleans Field Division. After his retirement, Kilcrease returned to his beloved hometown and to the home his grandfather, Con Way Hinson, built in 1904. Kilcrease has been an active and dedicated life member of The American Legion in Mississippi. He was instrumental in reactivating the Walthall County Post 56 of the American Legion in 2003, as well as Unit 56 of the American Legion.
For his community service efforts, particularly to honor and support county veterans, Kilcrease was awarded the Paul Pittman Award in 2011 by the Walthall County Chamber of Commerce. He was a Master Mason and member of Tylertown Lodge #392, Past Worthy Patron of Myra Chapter #20 of the Eastern Star in Hattiesburg, a Shriner and a member of Tylertown Baptist Church.
During his military career, Kilcrease served in all leadership positions at the Company and Battalion levels, including Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Company Commander of Infantry units, Executive Officer of an Air Cavalry Troop, all during combat in Vietnam. His most enjoyable assignment was during his four tours as an instructor for the Ranger Training Command at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Kilcrease’s gallantry in action in Vietnam resulted in a direct battlefield commission to Lieutenant. Some of his many awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, three awards of the Purple Heart, 12 awards of the Air Medal, the ex-POW medal the Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Wings, Pathfinder Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, and two awards of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Kilcrease flew more than 1200 combat hours and more than 3,700 total flying hours.
He was a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the University of New Orleans. From 1996 to 2000, after being appointed by Governor M. J. (Mike) Foster, Jr., he served as a Commissioner of Veterans Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs for the State of Louisiana.
He also was a life member of numerous other veterans organizations, including the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, United States Army Ranger Association, World-Wide Army Ranger Federation, 1st Cavalry Division Association, 82nd Airborne Division Association, the 101st Airborne Division Association and the National Sojourners, Inc., an Masonic organization for military personnel and veterans that he reactivated in Mississippi. Kilcrease was a former member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Special Forces Association, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and Combat Helicopter Pilots Association.
Included in his many awards and decorations are, the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2nd OLC), Air Medal for Bravery (12th award), POW Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger tab, Master Parachutist Wings, Pathfinder Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Presidential Unit Citation and two awards of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. LTC Kilcrease flew more than 1,200 combat hours and more than 3,700 total flying hours.
The Silver Star is the 3rd highest award for gallantry in battle. It follows the Medal of Honor (sometimes referred to erroneously as the “Congressional” Medal of Honor), and the Distinguished Service Cross. The following is taken from his Silver Star citation, awarded for Lt. (then Staff Sergeant) Kilcrease’s actions on Nov. 1, 1965: “LT Kilcrease distinguished himself while serving as squad leader of the first squad of the Aero Rifle Platoon, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Divion, in the Ia Drang Valley Vietnam. At 0800 hours LT Kilcrease’s squad along with the rest of the platoon was given the mission of reconnoitering a suspected enemy position. With only 18 men in the entire platoon they were landed approximately 1100 meters from the suspected area, and with LT Kilcrease’s squad in the lead, surprise a large enemy force guarding a hospital and collecting point.
“Demonstrating extraordinary valor and exposing himself frequently to enemy fire, LT Kilcrease and his small force killed 31 NVA soldiers and captured 26, all without receiving a single casualty. In addition the platoon captured five enemy officers and over $1 million worth of medical supplies. Later in the day, at about 1530 hours, over 100 NVA soldiers mounted a counterattack on LT Kilcrease’s position. As most of the platoon was engaged in evacuating the captured prisoners and supplies, LT Kilcrease met the attack with his squad of five men and six others from the platoon, stopping the attack successfully, although three of the 11 were killed. During this violent counterattack, LT Kilcrease and three other men held their position against overwhelming odds so that the others could safely withdraw.
“At that time, one of the men with LT Kilcrease was hit by enemy fire and with complete disregard for his own safety, LT Kilcrease attempted to rescue this man. Moving directly into the enemy attack, he shot and killed six NVA and reached the side of the wounded American. At that moment, the NVA rushed his position, critically wounding LT Kilcrease and killing the wounded American. Although he was in critical condition and losing blood badly, he stopped the NVA assault by killing four of them at very close range and though under intense fire crawled back to the defensive perimeter and was later evacuated.
“LT Kilcrease’s leadership and unflinching devotion to duty were exemplary, and his sustained valor in combat reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the U.S.”
MelOakesAlbum03 Irma Young, Barbara Kirkland Oakes, Lisa Oakes and Erma Mae Young Kirkland
MelOakesAlbum04 Sydny Sanderson
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MelOakesAlbum06
MelOakesAlbum07
MelOakesAlbum08 Marie and Carolyn Oakes,
MelOakesAlbum09 Plymouth converted to a pickup by Fred Oakes
MelOakesAlbum101 Josephine Bellinger Dose, Greatgrandmother of Melvin Oakes.
MelOakesAlbum100 Back of Josephine Belinger Photo. Some writing on it.
MelOakesAlbum102 Melvin, Floyd and Donald. Floyd in WWII pilot cap and Donald in WWII Helmut.
MelOakesAlbum49 Frederick Charles Oakes
MelOakesAlbum58 Donald and Floyd Oakes on Front Porch Swing at Kings residence.
MelOakesAlbum36 Melvin, Donald, Floyd, likely first day of school. Mel sprined wrist at football practice. ca 1950.
MelOakesAlbum106 Floyd, Donald, Eleanor, Melvin, Front steps of Kings residence.
MelOakesAlbum107 Robert Grantham and Marie Arwood Oakes. Fred Oakes' brother andhis wife.
MelOakesAlbum108 Charles and MaryJo Gibson Oakes with daughter Linda.
MelOakesAlbum109 William Warren Oakes, Fred Oakes' young brother.
MelOakesAlbum11 Melvin Oakes, Johnny Griffin, Earl Martin, Jane Keen. Sixth grade class 1948
MelOakesAlbum110 Charles Franklin Oakes and two redbone hounds. Melvin's paternal grandfather.
MelOakesAlbum111 William Warren Oakes, New Guinea,WWII
MelOakesAlbum112 William Warren Oakes, New Guinea, WWII Maybe water pump.
MelOakesAlbum113 Charles Franklin Oakes, Mel's paternal grandfather.
MelOakesAlbum114 Oakes Auto Parts Basebal Team
Front Row: Earl Martin, Phares Griffin, Melvin Oakes, Floyd Oakes
Second Row" Lamar Thomas, Billy Wayne Bishop, Carl Shiers, Orvis Hart
Back Row:
Harold Barker, Todd Huskey, Charles Burton, Johnny Griffin
MelOakesAlbum115 Oakes Auto Parts Baseball Team
Front Row: Floyd Oakes, Carl Shiers, Billy Wayne Bishop, Earl Martin
Second Row: Lamar Thomas, Melvin Oakes, Phares Griffin, Orvis Hart
Back Row: Harold Barker, Todd Huskey, Johnny Griffin, Charles Burton
MelOakesAlbum116
MelOakesAlbum117 Oakes Auto Parts Baseball Team
Front: Earl Martin, Mel Oakes, Lamar Thomas, Johnny Griffin, Willie Maddox, Donald Oakes
Back" Carl Shiers,Todd Huskey, Harold Barker, Floyd Oakes, Billy Wayne Bishop
MelOakesAlbum118 Fred Oakes with his hunting dogs.
MelOakesAlbum119 Office of Oakes Auto Parts.
MelOakesAlbum12 Biloxi Vacation Trip.
MelOakesAlbum120 Maybe Ella Sue Porter and Eleanor Oakes
MelOakesAlbum121 Margie and Fred Oakes
MelOakesAlbum122 Party at Oakes Home
Front: George Brown, Wilson Brent, Orvis Hart
Second Row: Johnny Griffin, Todd Huskey and Floyd Oakes
Back Row: a Fuller, maybe Bennie, Ted Porter
MelOakesAlbum123 Leon Stevens and Donald Oakes, Oakes Party.
MelOakesAlbum124 Mary Nell Hart
MelOakesAlbum125 Donald Oakes, Opal Opperman, Fred Oakes, Sally Porter?
MelOakesAlbum126 Tinker Huskey, Charles Franklin Oakes in foreground.
MelOakesAlbum127 Fred Oakes
MelOakesAlbum128 Phares Griffin, Lamar Thomas, Earl Martin, Coach J. C. Dorman, Oakes Party.
MelOakesAlbum129 Donald Oakes, Fred Oakes, Billy Wayne Bishop. Oakes Party.
MelOakesAlbum13 Sheila Gessler, Mel Oakes Cousin.
MelOakesAlbum130 JC Dorman, Lamar Thomas, Earl Martin, Billy Wayne Bishop
MelOakesAlbum131 Eleanor Oakes, Kings Home
MelOakesAlbum132 Eleanor Oakes in Dad and Mom's bedroom.
MelOakesAlbum133 Fred Oakes sleeping in his red leather rocker.
MelOakesAlbum134 Floyd and Barbara Oakes with daughter Lisa.
MelOakesAlbum135 Fred Oakes and Unknown Couple
MelOakesAlbum136 Fred Oakes
MelOakesAlbum137 Linda and Dale Oakes
MelOakesAlbum138 Margie and Fred Oakes, Texas
MelOakesAlbum139 Donald Oakes on Dolly King's riverboat.
MelOakesAlbum14 Charles Halberg
MelOakesAlbum140 Margie Oakes, Eleanor Oakes and Mrs Gene Martin (Earl Martin's mother)
MelOakesAlbum141 Melvin Oakes
MelOakesAlbum142 Floyd Oakes
MelOakesAlbum143 Donald Oakes
MelOakesAlbum144 Floyd Oakes
MelOakesAlbum145 Eleanor Oakes, Adventist School in Vicksburg.
MelOakesAlbum146 Eleanor Oakes, petrified forest in Flora, MS
MelOakesAlbum147 Barbara Oakes with Jim and Lisa.
MelOakesAlbum148 Mary Jo Oakes with Dale Oakes
MelOakesAlbum15 Wilson Brent, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum16 Wilson Brent, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum17 Wilson Brent, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum18 Wilson Brent, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum19 Earl Martin, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum20 Earl Martin, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum21 Bob Hollowell, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum22 Bob Hollowell, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum23 Jimmy "Tinker" Huskey and maybe Katherine Brewer
MelOakesAlbum24 Mississippi Coast
MelOakesAlbum25 Mel Oakes in living room at Kings.
MelOakesAlbum26 Floyd Oakes and Barbara Kirkland wedding at Oakes home in Kings.
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MelOakesAlbum28 Todd Huskey, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum29 Todd Huskey, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum30 Johnny Griffin, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum31Jane Keen, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum32 Dorothy Hall, Redwood classmate, married Will Breland.
MelOakesAlbum33 Mae Livingston, Redwood Classmate
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MelOakesAlbum35 Phares Griffin, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum37 Florence Williams and Mel Oakes
MelOakesAlbum38 Eugenia Sumerall, Mel Oakes' classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum39 Faye Alderman, ?, Betty Jean Alderman,Redwood High School
MelOakesAlbum40 Donald Oakes, Mom and Dad's bedroom, Kings House
MelOakesAlbum41 Left to Right: Orvis Hart, Floyd Oakes, Mel Oakes, Lamar Thomas, Jane Keen, Earl Martin, Billy Joe Jones. Oakes Party.
MelOakesAlbum42 Bobby Shackleford, Hinds Classmate and fellow basketball player, He was from Satartia.
MelOakesAlbum43 Cameron Ferguson, Hinds Classmate and friend. Graduated from West Point.
MelOakesAlbum44 Leo Seymour, Hinds Classmate and great friend.
MelOakesAlbum45 Olen Akers, Hinds Classmate
MelOakesAlbum46 Bobby Causey, Hinds Classmate and fellow basketball player.
MelOakesAlbum47 William Tommy Robbins, Hinds Roommate and fellow basketball player.
MelOakesAlbum48 Jimmy Warren, Hinds Classmate and friend.
MelOakesAlbum50 Redwood Classmates: Wilson Brent, Jane Keen, Dean Cole, Ann Huskey, Melvin Oakes
MelOakesAlbum51 Hinds Junior College HiSteppers. Martha Gillespi, 2nd from left, front row.
MelOakesAlbum52 Florence Williams, High School Girlfriend.
MelOakesAlbum53 Martha Gillespi, Hinds Classmate and friend. She also went to LSU when I did.
MelOakesAlbum55 Ann Laseter, Hinds Junior College classmate.
MelOakesAlbum56 Players a Junior College Tournament in Pensacola Florida, 1956. We lost to Lon Morris College of Texas
Across back from left: ?, Coach Troy Ricks(In light sport coat at left end of second row) Jack Golden (black suit and glasses), Buck Smith (in front of Jack, light suit), Mel Oakes,. John Lancater, Dickie Axtell, Gordon Merritt, Julian Sandifer, Bobby Lee, Jerry Ivey, Tommy Vance. Irl Dean Rhodes next to Buck Smith, is in third row, black suit, glasses, press coverage. Al Burnett to right of Irl Dean.
MelOakesAlbum57 Ann Huskey and Mel Oakes
MelOakesAlbum59 Hinds Hi Steppers, Bottom up: Carolyn Wright, Martha Gillespi, ?, Kay Graham,
