Pat Hurley: Defender of Freedom - Podcast
Patrick Hurley cowboyed with Will Rogers, won the Silver Star in WW 1, was U.S. Secretary of War (now Defense), won the Distinguished Flying Cross in WW 2 as he rose to Major General, troubleshot for President Franklin Roosevelt all over the world during that war—though the two were political opposites—and as U.S. Ambassador to China, was America’s greatest defender of the Free Chinese against Mao’s barbaric Reds. The same Free Chinese who now shine the beacon of liberty from…Taiwan.
Join John and KTOK/iHeartRadio star Gwin Faulconer-Lippert for the rip-snorting, action-packed tale of one of the greatest men Oklahoma has ever produced. This is the 82nd episode of our original OKLAHOMA GOLD! radio program and podcast. Thank you Atwoods Stores for making it possible! Go HERE to listen to them all! Future episodes explore more great heroes, events, and movements of Oklahoma History. Thank you Atwoods Stores for making it possible!
Reunion of two legendary Oklahoman cowboys who rode the range together in Territorial days, after both became famous: “Favorite Son” Will Rogers and U.S. Secretary of War Pat Hurley. Courtesy Oklahoma Publishing Company and Oklahoma Historical Society.
Patrick J. Hurley, Secretary of War (now Defense) under President Herbert Hoover, the highest-ranking Oklahoma government official to that point in history.
Two of Communist China’s greatest Cold War enemies—Republic of China leader Chiang Kai-Shek and Oklahoma native, veteran of two World Wars, and Major General and U.S. Ambassador to China, Pat Hurley. Courtesy Associated Press and Oklahoma Historical Society.
The flags of the Republic of China, now the Republic of Taiwan, and the Communist People’s Republic of China, or Red China.
Oklahoman Pat Hurley, following World War II and his resignation as Ambassador to China, continued his dauntless efforts to save that nation from Communism. He charged Under Secretary of State Dean Acheson, according to the Associated Press, with “wrecking” policies “approved by the late President Roosevelt, during a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.” Courtesy Associated Press and Oklahoma Historical Society.
Many thanks to Atwoods Stores, a farm and ranch supply company based in Enid, Oklahoma, for their support of the Red River Institute of History and OKLAHOMA GOLD! Please support them as you are able! Wherever you are, you can order online from thousands of quality products on their terrific website HERE. Atwoods also has 66 stores in 5 states: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. In addition to farm and ranch supplies, Atwoods stores sell clothing, lawn and garden items, tools, hardware, automotive supplies, sporting goods, pet supplies, firearms, and seasonal items.
