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Otwa Tilden Autry was born in Gracemont, Oklahoma on January 7, 1910, and died October 24, 1998 in Enid. As a young boy, he moved to Claremore, Oklahoma, where he graduated from high school in 1928. He received his BA and MA degrees from Phillips University in 1932 and 1935. While at the university, he was a four year letterman in football and was captain of the 1932 team. In 1965, the university conferred upon him the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Autry served 34 years in the United Sates Army, 45th Infantry Division, working his way up from private to brigadier general, before retiring in 1961. He served with the Thunderbirds when the unit was inducted into federal service in 1940. During World War II, he was executive field officer for the 189th Field Artillery Battalion, serving as major during the division’s campaigns in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He was awarded the Silver Star for bravery at Salerno during the Italian Campaign, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious service and Bronze Arrowheads for amphibious landings at Sicily and Southern France. He was recalled for military service in 1951 and served as lieutenant colonel with the 45th Infantry Division in Korea until 1952.
He received a total of ten battle stars for campaigns during World War II and the Korean Crisis. He received the Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal, as well as being inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.
Serving for 39 years in the Enid School System, Autry worked as a teacher, coach, and principal at Emerson Junior High and Enid High School. He became superintendent of the Enid schools in 1964 and retired in 1975. The Enid Board of Education recognized him in 1966 by naming the O.T. Autry Vocational and Technical School in his honor.
Active in numerous city activities, he was president of the Enid Lions Club, member of the Oklahoma Education Association, the National Guard Association, the American Legion and other professional organizations. He received the “Outstanding Citizen Award” presented by the Salvation Army in 1965.
Autry was a member of The First Presbyterian Church where he served on the Board of Deacons, the Board of Trustees, and as a Ruling Elder.
He was married to Esther Alma Bank in 1932 and they had 63 years of marriage before she preceded him in death.