Lieutenant Choctaw Atoka Harp Jr.

Choctaw Atoka Harp Jr. was born in St Louis MO on September 12, 1922 to Mr. and Mrs. CA Harp. At a very early age the family moved to Cimarron where his dad managed the WS Ranch. He grew up in Cimarron and left there to attend NMMI. While at NMMI he was part of a championship rifle team that competed at nationals. In May 1940 he graduated from NMMI and was commissioned as a reserve officer. The next fall he enrolled at NMAMC which he attended for one year studying agriculture. He then returned to NMMI as a tactical officer and weapons instructor. In March 1942 he was called to active duty in the armored corps. He served as an instructor at Fort Knox prior to being accepted for pilot training in the USAAF. In January 1944, shortly after receiving his wings he married Miss Joyce Carpenter. Shortly thereafter he was assigned to Key Field at Meridian MS for tactical reconnaissance training. On May 13, 1944, he was piloting P-51 B #43-12358 on a routine training mission when it crashed near Lake Providence Louisiana. Lt Harp was killed on impact and today he is buried in Raton NM. Lt Choctaw Atoka Harp Jr. was 21 years of age at the time of his death.