Remembering‘ the greatest generation’
WWII vet Gilbert‘ Choc’ Charleston exhibit brings history to life
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TAMARA GREGOR
Gilbert“ Choc” Charleston, member of the Choctaw Tribe, has been encapuslated in the Stephens County Historical Museum where an exhibit has told his story since his passing.
Stephens County Museum Executive Director Keith Colley described Charlestgon as a“ man who started right here in Stephens County, Oklahoma” with“ a story that would carry him from the red dirt at home to the battle fields of Europe.”
Charleston, born Dec. 24, 1923, on Payne Ranch near Duncan, enlisted in the Armed Services in 1943 and served in the United States Army as a tank driver in the 739th Tank Battalion.
Charleston entered the war at 18 and returned around 22. He married Billie Louise Burns and they had two sons, one of whom went on to become a Penn State University professor and one who served as a bishop in the Episcopal Church. Their marriage spanned 79 years before his wife passed away.
During Charleston’ s time in the service, everything worked out for him to become a driver.
“ It’ s all I ever did and all I ever wanted to do,” Charleston told The Banner in an interview previously.
He served in WWII in Europe and drove a tank off of a landing craft at La Harve, France. Charleston landed in France and troops fought in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland and they went through the Siegfried Line into Aachen, Germany.
Charleston recalled during this combat is when the“ German’ s counter attacked in Belgium and that’ s what caused the Battle of the Bulge.”
Charleston said it was cold during his time overseas.
“ I’ ve never been so cold in my entire life as we were that month of December in Belgium,” he said.“ Anytime you would talk to a soldier that had
GILBERT“ CHOC” CHARLESTON, BORN DEC. 24, 1923, ON PAYNE RANCH NEAR DUNCAN, ENLISTED IN THE ARMED SERVICES IN 1943 AND SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AS A TANK DRIVER IN THE 739TH TANK BATTALION.
been in any part of that war, the first thing they’ d say is how cold it was.”
In the exhibit, which was first showcased while Charleston was still alive, there were several photographs, including one of him with George Patton’ s daughter while in Belgium and a photo of General Dozier, who was kidnapped by the Red Brigades in Italy.
About three and a half months after the exhibit’ s opening, Charleston passed away at 101 years old, Nov. 27, 2025. However, before his passing, he was able to 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.
8 DUNCAN MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2026