Rodney Derryberry, District #4, is the Choctaw Nation’s Veteran of the Month.
Derryberry was born and raised in Poteau and graduated from Red Oak High School. While still in high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Following graduation, he departed for Fort Benning, Georgia, for basic training.
He served on active duty until 1992, then became an active-duty reservist in 1997. Derryberry had a break in service from 1998 until 2000, then reentered military service by joining the National Guard in response to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. He concluded his National Guard service in 2013, remaining in stop-loss status.
Derryberry has rendered approximately 17 years of honorable service in defense of this country and concluded his service at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He was assigned to Delta Company 14 from Fort Benning, Georgia, and attached to the 95th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served as a drill sergeant at Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, training recruits. He served with the National Guard on peacekeeping missions for the Multinational Task Force throughout the world, including deployment to Afghanistan.
His decision to serve in the military is attributed to a proud family tradition of service. His father is a Vietnam-era Army veteran, and both grandfathers honorably served during World War II.
After returning to Red Oak in 1992, Derryberry pursued a career in the oil field and later in law enforcement. He served as a drug task force supervisor for almost 20 years and currently serves as sheriff of LeFlore County.
Derryberry and his wife, April, have been married for almost 22 years and are parents to Aiden, Madison and Ethan.
He expresses deep appreciation for members of the U.S. armed forces, the Choctaw Nation, and for the opportunity he was given to serve his country with honor and dedication.
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.