Henry Bellmon
| Henry Bellmon | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 23rd Governor of Oklahoma | |
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In office January 12, 1987 – January 14, 1991 |
|
| Lieutenant | Robert S. Kerr III |
| Preceded by | George Nigh |
| Succeeded by | David Walters |
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United States Senator from Oklahoma |
|
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In office January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | A. S. Mike Monroney |
| Succeeded by | Don Nickles |
| 18th Governor of Oklahoma | |
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In office January 13, 1963 – January 9, 1967 |
|
| Lieutenant | Leo Winters |
| Preceded by | George Nigh |
| Succeeded by | Dewey F. Bartlett |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
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In office 1946–1948 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Henry Louis Bellmon September 3, 1921 Tonkawa, Oklahoma |
| Died | September 29, 2009 (aged 88) Enid, Oklahoma |
| Resting place | Billings Union Cemetery 36°30′20.2″N 97°24′59″W / 36.505611°N 97.41639°W |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Shirley Osborn (1947–2001) Eloise Morsman Bollenbach (2002–2009) |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma A & M |
| Occupation | farmer, politician |
| Religion | Presbyterianism |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards |
 Silver Star Legion of Merit
|
Henry Louis Bellmon (September 3, 1921 – September 29, 2009) was an American Republican politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Oklahoma Legislature, he went on to become both the 18th and 23rd governor of Oklahoma and a two-term United States Senator. He was the first Republican to serve as governor of Oklahoma.
A World War II veteran, Bellmon served a single term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, before running for governor. After serving in the U.S. Senate, he returned to serve again as governor and was responsible for passing a large education reform package. He died in 2009 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.
Bellmon was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and graduated from Billings High School in Billings, Oklahoma. He graduated from Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) in 1942 with a Bachelor's Degree in agriculture. He was a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946. He was a tank platoon leader in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He took part in four amphibious landings on Pacific islands, including Iwo Jima. For his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and a Silver Star. After the war he returned to farming and took up politics.
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