Early Life and Background

Born on February 23, 1923, in Koochiching County, Minnesota, Phillip Joseph Micknal spent his formative years in the northern reaches of the state, near the Canadian border. By 1935, his family relocated to Salem, Oregon, where his father secured employment as a pipe fitter in a local paper mill. As a teenager, Phillip contributed to the household by working as a delivery driver for a furniture store. His early years were marked by a strong work ethic and a commitment to family.

Military Service and Marriage

In 1942, amidst the global turmoil of World War II, Phillip was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served with distinction in the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, known as "The Battling Buzzards." His service took him to the European theater, including participation in Operation Dragoon, the campaign to liberate Southern France. On April 6, 1944, while on leave, Phillip married Mary Ann Stapp in Oklahoma City. This union marked the beginning of his deep ties to Oklahoma, where the couple would eventually settle and start a family....Read More