Dale Ray Cantrell, District #11, is Choctaw Nation’s Veteran of the Month.
He was born in McAlester, raised in Krebs and completed high school at McAlester.
Cantrell joined the U.S. Army in 1968, completed Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA., attended Jump School at Fort Benning, GA., and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. He completed jumps at Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg, and in Puerto Rico, including a notable jump from a jet aircraft.
In 1969, he departed for Vietnam, where he was assigned for one year. In 1970, he volunteered for a second tour with the 101st Infantry, 326 Combat Engineers, which provided improved conditions, permanent barracks and electricity.
His career includes service as a Military Policeman at Fort. Sill, Fort. Riley, Fort Bliss, Fort McCoy in Germany, Camp Chaffee, Camp Shelby, Panama, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. He served as First Sergeant for the Military Police located at the Murrah Federal Building in Okla. City following the 1995 bombing.
From 2002-2008, he served with the NCIOC Task Force Democracy, 2-290th 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Sill (Reserve mobilized) acting as Observer Controller Trainer and Unit Liaison Officer for mobilization of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In 2004, he served as NCOIC of Task Force GITMO 5.5, Fort Dix, N.J., as Observer Controller Trainer for joint forces supporting Operation at Guantanamo Bay, and from 1996 to 2002 was Military Police Team NCIOC with the USAR- Oklahoma City as Observer Controller Trainer for 14 units in five states (10 National Guard Units and four Army Reserve units). From 1973-1995, he continued to serve with dedication.
He earned the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Overseas Bars, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, NCO Service Star, Bronze Star Medal; and various awards for his exemplary work at the Murrah Federal Building. His diverse assignments included undercover work intercepting contraband, support during Desert Storm, and final missions covering the OKC bombing aftermath.
After over 38 years of service, MSG Cantrell retired and returned to McAlester, where he served as a guard at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, and worked with Disabled American Veterans. He still meets with Veterans every week.
He and his wife of 52 years, Linda, have two daughters, Teresa Briggs (deceased) and Tina Mullens, and grandchildren Gage, Gannon, Grant, Calli, Austin and Trey.
Cantrell strives to lead by example and advises young people looking for guidance and direction to consider joining the military, saying it is a great way to discover purpose.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma holds our Veterans in the highest esteem and appreciates their sacrifices and contributions to preserve our freedoms and the way of life we hold dear.