Gilmore Daniel, one-fourth Osage Indian, was a 1937 graduate of Skiatook High School. He attended Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore and Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa. Daniel was the first American to be taken prisoner by the Germans, three months before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Daniel enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force before the United States became involved in World War II, and was one of the youngest members of the American Eagle Squadron. In the Battle of Britain, he was credited with downing five aircraft. During a dogfight over the English Channel, Daniel's Spitfire was shot down. He was adrift at sea for three days before washing ashore in France. Daniel was captured by the Germans and spent three years in the Stalag-Luft 3 prison camp. He was liberated only days before World War II ended in 1945. Daniel transferred to the U.S. Air Force in 1949, and began flying F-94 fighters and B-29 Superfortresses during the Korean War. In 1958, he was assigned to fly fighter interceptors as cover for Marines landing on the shores of Lebanon. He earned the Bronze Star in Vietnam as an operations staff officer, and also earned a Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired in 1969.

From Find a grave:
Services Wednesday For Gilmore Daniel, World War II POW Graveside services for Maj. Gilmore C. Daniel, one of the first allied fliers captured by the Germans in World War II, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Osage Garden Cemetery. Peters-Stumpff Funeral Home of Skiatook will direct the service. According to news reports, Daniel was the first American to be taken prisoner by the Germans, three months before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Daniel enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force before the United States became involved in World War II, and was one of the youngest members of the American Eagle Squadron. The squadron was made up of volunteer pilots from the United States. In the Battle of Britain, he was credited with downing five aircraft. During a dogfight over the English Channel, Daniel's Spitfire was shot down. He was adrift at sea for three days before washing ashore in France, according to news reports. Daniel was captured by the Germans and spent three years in the Stalag-Luft 3 prison camp. He was liberated only days before World War II ended in 1945. Daniel transferred to the U.S. Air Force in 1949, and began flying F-94 fighters and B-29 Superfortresses during the Korean War. In 1958, he was assigned to fly fighter interceptors as cover for Marines landing on the shores of Lebanon. He earned the Bronze Star in Vietnam as an operations staff officer, and also earned a Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired in 1969. Daniel, one-fourth Osage Indian, was a 1937 graduate of Skiatook High School. He attended Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore and Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa. He had lived in Tulsa for 20 years. Survivors include a son, Joe C. Daniel of Bartlesville, two daughters, Yvette Britt of Mounds and Yvonne Stevens of Bartlesville; a brother, Gene Daniel of Tulsa; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. (Tulsa World)(Rhonda)