World War II Honoree

Lloyd Noble

Hometown

Ardmore, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

AN INFLUENTIAL BUSINESSMAN IN THE OIL BUSINESS, HE EMPLOYED THOUSANDS OF WORKERS IN 25 DIFFERENT STATES. WHEN WAR IN EUROPE BEGAN IN 1939, ENGLAND'S OIL SUPPLIES WERE CRITICALLY SHORT AND THEIR PRODUCTION FACILITIES WERE INADEQUATE TO MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND. ENGLAND TURNED TO THE UNITED STATES AND TO THE OKLAHOMA OIL INDUSTRY IN PARTICULAR FOR ASSISTANCE. ALTHOUGH FACING INCREASED DOMESTIC DEMAND, HE PUT ASIDE HIS STRICT BUSINESS INTERESTS AND SENT A LARGE DELEGATION OVERSEAS TO LEAD A REVITALIZATION EFFORT. THE DRILLING PROJECT WAS CLASSIFIED 'TOP SECRET' BY BOTH THE U.S. AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS AS THE U.S. HAD NOT YET ENTERED THE WAR. THE DELEGATION'S TIME AND EFFORTS PAID OFF AND SEVERAL MILLIONS OF BARRELS OF OIL WERE PRODUCED. THAT PRODUCTION CONTRIBUTED IMMEASURABLY TO THE WAR EFFORT. HE REFUSED FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FROM THE GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED AND CONSIDERED HIS COSTS IN LOST MANPOWER, SALARIES, AND EQUIPMENT AS HIS CONTRIBUTION TO WINNING THE WAR.