Oklahoma Alpha 100 Goldback

Virtue: Libertas

Enduring Principle: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” — Thomas Jefferson

Long Version

The Oklahoma 100 Goldback stands as a tribute to one of the most storied military units in U.S.

history: the 45th Infantry Division, known proudly as the “Thunderbird Division.” In 1923, the

45th was forged from the Oklahoma National Guard, embodying the state’s resilience, diversity,

and fierce commitment to liberty.

During World War II, the 45th was among the first Allied forces to land in Sicily in 1943,

launching relentless campaigns through Italy, Anzio, Southern France, and into Germany. They

endured brutal combat, fierce resistance, and immense losses. But their most defining mission

came on April 29, 1945, when they helped liberate Dachau Concentration Camp, uncovering

one of the darkest horrors of the Holocaust. The soldiers of the 45th, hardened by war, were

devastated by what they witnessed: emaciated survivors, death trains, and unspeakable

suffering.

“During the early period of our entry into the camp,” wrote Lieutenant Colonel Felix L. Sparks, “a

number of Company I men, all battle-hardened veterans, became extremely distraught. Some

cried, while others raged.”

Private First Class John Lee recalled, “As we entered the camp, the prisoners began to realize

they were being liberated. Their joy was indescribable.”

What made the 45th distinct was not only its battlefield record, but its roots. Drawn largely from

Oklahoma’s citizen-soldiers, the division included an extraordinary number of Native American

service members from the Five Civilized Tribes: the Choctaw, Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek),

Seminole, and Chickasaw. These sovereign nations brought their warrior traditions, languages,

and spiritual depth into the heart of the division.

At the center of this composition stands Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom and a

powerful American symbol. She is radiant and resolute—not marching ahead of the men, but

with them. Her gown of stars and stripes is directly inspired by the Liberty figure on the

Oklahoma State Seal, representing the state's founding ideals of justice and freedom. Her form

also echoes the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, a coin that circulated widely during World War II.

Libertas holds a shield bearing the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma. It includes the seals of

the Five Civilized Tribes, symbolizing the unity between Native nations and the state they

helped build. Her belt displays the Osage warrior shield, peace pipe, and olive branch from the

state flag to represent defense and diplomacy.

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