Wings of Kegelman

Wings of Kegelman Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Wings of Kegelman, Nonprofit Organization, 1515 S Rock Island Avenue, El Reno, OK.

With the U.S.A.’s semiquincentennial happening this Independence Day, we are so thankful for the many men and women thro...
07/04/2026

With the U.S.A.’s semiquincentennial happening this Independence Day, we are so thankful for the many men and women throughout our history who fought for and defended our freedoms, realizing that freedom is not free.  We are also thrilled to announce that our own hometown hero, Col. Charles Clark “Sonny” Kegelman, who led the United States on its very first attack of N**i targets in World War 2, has rightly been selected for the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.  He will be formally inducted this November.

Kegelman’s “Independence Day Raid” on July 4, 1942 was a harrowing mission which gained him instant fame around the globe, the Distinguished Service Cross, and more.  Kegelman did so much more for the war effort, from leading raids in Operation Torch in North Africa, to commanding fighter groups stateside training pilots for the war effort, and more, but he wasn’t satisfied that he was doing enough for his country.  So, he was given command of a B-25 bomb group in the Pacific, and there he would be 
Killed in Action on a mission, making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

This Memorial Day, we honor not only Charles “Sonny” Kegelman, but every brave man and woman who has served our country....
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor not only Charles “Sonny” Kegelman, but every brave man and woman who has served our country. 🇺🇸

Sonny gave his life in service during World War II, and in 1954 this aircraft was placed in his honor as a lasting tribute to his courage and sacrifice. Today, through Wings of Kegelman, we hope to restore and refresh this historic plane so future generations can continue to hear Sonny’s story and remember the legacy of all who served.

As we remember the fallen, we also extend our deepest gratitude to every service member and veteran who has defended our freedoms. ❤️🤍💙

Sonny’s story part 3At El Reno’s VFW Post #382, the Douglas A-26 Invader light bomber / attack aircraft that still sits...
04/14/2026

Sonny’s story part 3

At El Reno’s VFW Post #382, the Douglas A-26 Invader light bomber / attack aircraft that still sits atop the “hill” in front of the building alongside Historic Route 66 also honors Col. Kegelman. Kegelman flew his famous Independence Day Raid in 1942 in a Douglas A-20 Havoc that had been supplied to the British Royal Air Force as part of the Lend-Lease program in early World War 2, planes that the British designated Boston bombers. The Boston / A-20 Havoc was the predecessor to (and looked strikingly similar to) the A-26. As no A-20s were available following the war, the VFW Post here was able to acquire an A-26 on loan from the US military for static display purposes only. Fittingly, since the plane was so similar to the one Kegelman flew that famous 4 July 1942 mission in, the plane was dubbed “Sonny” and had his name painted on the nose for many years.

The story of Kegelman’s death is particularly poignant. After serving in the ETO and MTO in World War 2, then being assigned to train pilots at Tinker Field in Oklahoma City, Kegelman wasn’t satisfied that he was doing enough for the war effort, so he requested to be able to return to the war “in theatre.” His request was granted, and Colonel Kegelman was given command of the 42nd Bombardment Group, a group flying B-25 Mitchell medium bombers in the Pacific. It was on a routine mission on March 9, 1945 when Colonel Kegelman lost his life when his wingman accidentally lost control of his plane and collided with Kegelman’s aircraft. The impact sheared off part of the Kegelman’s B-25’s wing, causing the medium bomber to careen out of control into the jungle below on Mindanao, one of the Philippine islands, killing all the men aboard.

May we always RemembER and never forget the sacrifices so many have made for our freedoms.

Respectfully,

Brian Rukes El Reno Historian

Sonny’s story part 2He was married to Marian Eleanor Dale (EHS Class of 1933), who was the niece of Etta Dale, long-time...
04/14/2026

Sonny’s story part 2

He was married to Marian Eleanor Dale (EHS Class of 1933), who was the niece of Etta Dale, long-time El Reno educator for whom Etta Dale Junior High School in El Reno is named. The couple had no children
It was the Kegelman-led July 4, 1942 mission to De Kooy, Holland, attacking a N**i base there, that would garner then Captain Kegelman instant fame and headlines literally around the world. The 1932 El Reno High School graduate loved his hometown, as well, so just about every time that Major Kegelman (he received an immediate promotion after his famous mission) was mentioned in media coverage of the event, so was El Reno. He was interviewed on London radio (we have an audio copy of that interview), featured in magazines such as Time and Look, given his own pieces in respected comics Military Comics and Heroic Comics, had features in books, and even had at least three different major artists’ renderings made of his Independence Day raid. Like the Doolittle Raid had done to raise American morale in the Pacific Theatre, so did Kegelman’s mission against the N**is raise morale in the European Theatre. Americans knew that we were now “in the fight” in Europe, taking on Hi**er and his N**i regime. Furthermore, with a kickoff like Kegelman had delivered, it was clear that we were there not just to fight, but to WIN!

Because of his accolades, Kegelman eventually would be honored with having the local VFW Post #382 in El Reno named in his honor, as well as having an auxiliary field of the United States Air Force named in his honor, Kegelman Auxiliary Field located in Jet, Oklahoma, used to train cadet pilots based out of Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. Kegelman was also named to the Oklahoma Military Academy’s Hall of Fame.

Hello to our new followers, please like and follow to hear Sonny’s story. (Part 1)March 9, 1945 was a particularly sad d...
04/14/2026

Hello to our new followers, please like and follow to hear Sonny’s story. (Part 1)

March 9, 1945 was a particularly sad day for residents of the City of El Reno and for so many people around the world who had come to love our hometown hero, Col. Charles Clark “Sonny” Kegelman, whose amazing story was recently told on News 9 in the story we shared last week. You can view using the link in our bio.

Who was “Sonny” Kegelman? Answer: commander of the first U.S. air raid on N**i targets in World War 2 on Independence Day, July 4, 1942 (and the first mission of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in World War 2), recipient of the first Distinguished Service Cross received by an American serviceman in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) for his heroic actions that day, ace pilot in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations (MTO), commander of multiple stateside fighter groups training pilots to fly pursuit (fighter) aircraft in World War 2, and finally commander of the 42nd Bombardment Group of B-25 Mitchell medium bombers in the Pacific Theatre of Operations (PTO), all during World War 2 before his untimely, tragic death (see more to follow).

Here’s a little history about our local hero, Sonny, and why we proudly have the airplane here in El Reno.This aircraft ...
04/14/2026

Here’s a little history about our local hero, Sonny, and why we proudly have the airplane here in El Reno.

This aircraft stands as a tribute to his service, dedication, and the legacy he left behind in our community. We are honored to share this piece of history with everyone who visits.

Please stop by anytime to see the plane up close and take pictures with it! 📸
We’d love for you to share your photos with us and help keep Sonny’s story flying high.

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1515 S Rock Island Avenue
El Reno, OK
73036

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