Randal Cornelius was recognized and celebrated as the “2024 Veteran of the Year” at the State Capitol just before Governor Stitt’s “State of the State” address on Monday.
The Kellyville resident joined the United States Marine Corps in 1967 and was trained as an operational pilot in the RF-4B Phantom II and the EF-10B Skynight, both of which provided essential services to the air war in Vietnam.
In a reading of the official proclamation, Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert said that Cornelius “demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership, completing rigorous flight training and earning his ‘wings of gold.'”
Cornelius’ assignments in service took him from Marine Corps Air Station El Toro to combat operations in Vietnam at Da Nang Airbase. He began in unarmed, low-level reconnaissance missions that were critical to intelligence-gathering efforts, and then later contributed to vital logistics operations throughout the Pacific before concluding his service at Cherry Point, North Carolina as a Captain.
From there, he returned to Oklahoma and built a successful career in the oil and gas industry.
His family is deeply rooted in military tradition, and several of his children have followed in his footsteps and served in the military. Randal and his wife Donna have both been dedicated supporters of the Sapulpa High School Marine Junior ROTC program, and continue to be involved to this day.
