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American Indians have served this country's military well

  • Published
  • By Dr. Robert B. Kane
  • Air University, Director of History
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  During November, Americans will celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month. This year's theme is "Native Pride and Spirit:  Yesterday, Today and Forever."  On Nov. 11, Americans will also celebrate Veterans Day.  Through these two observances, Americans can celebrate not only the significant contributions of American Indians and Alaska natives to our heritage and culture, but also their contributions to this country's defense.

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed a joint resolution of Congress, officially proclaiming November as National American Indian Month.  The Boy Scouts of America, in 1915, originated the idea of a national recognition of American Indians.  By 1950, several states had recognized an American Indian Day and in 1976, President Gerald Ford declared Oct. 10-16 as Native American Awareness Week.

Many Americans may still think only of "Indian" raids during the Frontier Wars of the 1700s and the 1800s.  Yet, American Indians have significantly contributed to the heritage and culture of this country.  For example, many still consider Jim Thorpe, whose mother was a Sac and Fox Indian, as one of America's greatest athletes.  Also, Maria Tallchief, whose father was an Osage Indian, received global recognition as America's first prima ballerina.

Additionally, American Indians have honorably served in all U.S. military services throughout history since the American Revolution.  American Indians fought on both sides during the American Civil War, served as scouts during the Frontier Wars in the late 1800s and were with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders at San Juan Hill, Cuba, in 1898. 

During World War I, about 12,000 American Indians distinguished themselves in the brutal fighting in France.  Of the approximately 600 Oklahoma American Indians, mostly Choctaw and Cherokee, assigned to the 142nd Infantry of the 36th Texas-Oklahoma National Guard Division, four received France's Croix de Guerre and others received Britain's Church War Cross for gallantry for acts of heroism in combat.

More than 21,000 American Indians, including 800 women, fought against the Axis in World War II, compiling an outstanding combat record.  In November 1945, the U.S. Army Air Force's Office of Indian Affairs reported that 71 American Indians had received the Air Medal, 51 the Silver Star, 47 the Bronze Star and 34 the Distinguished Flying Cross.  During this war, seven American Indians received the Medal of Honor, five posthumously.

Perhaps the most famous group of American Indian servicemen during World War II was the Navajo code talkers.  Serving as Marines in the Western Pacific, they provided secure communications for Marine ground operations, using a code developed from their native language.  The Japanese military never broke the code and the Navajo code talkers played a pivotal role in saving countless lives and hastening the war's end in the Pacific theater. 

Marine Cpl. Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian, was one of the six men who raised the U.S. flag over Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945, an event captured in the Marine Corps Memorial near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.

Over the years, thousands of Air Force members and their families have served at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, named after Maj. Gen. Clarence L. Tinker, who was one-eighth Osage Indian.  Tinker, the first American Indian to be promoted to general officer, died on a flying mission after the battle of Midway in June 1942.

During the nation's history, 30 American Indians (16 during the Frontier Wars, seven during World War II, five in the Korean War and two in the Vietnam War) have received the Medal of Honor, America's highest and most prestigious award for combat above and beyond the call of duty.

American Indians and non-American Indians have had to live, work, fight and even die together in the U.S. military services.  In doing so, they learned from each other. 

"There was a camaraderie [in the Air Force] that transcends ethnicity when you serve your country overseas in wartime," commented Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Cheyenne veteran of Korea and former U.S. senator and representative from Colorado.

As the nation celebrates National American Indian Heritage Month throughout this coming month and Veterans Day, remember the thousands of American Indians who have honorably served in this country's armed forces throughout its history.