2018 HOPI CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION DAY “ITAM ITAA HOPIQATSIY AHOY NAPTOTINI” “WE, OUR HOPI WAY OF LIFE SHALL BE ACCEPTED BACK…REGAINED” PRIVATE FIRST CLASS PERRY HONANI SR. “WUPATAWA” – WATER CLAN – SHUNGOPAVI VILLAGE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FRANK C. CHAPELLA “TUUKWAVI” – BEAR CLAN – TEWA VILLAGE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FLOYD DANN SR. “LOMAHUYTIWA” – CORN CLAN – MOENCOPI VILLAGE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WARREN R. KOOYAQUAPTEWA “SHUUTE” – BEAR CLAN – TEWA VILLAGE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CHARLES T. LOMAKEMA “TAWAYAWMA” – BEAR STRAP CLAN – SHUNGOPAVI VILLAGE PRIVATE PERCIVAL NAVENMA “MASAHOYNIWA” – TOBACCO/RABBIT CLAN – MISHUNGNOVI VILLAGE SERGEANT REX POOYOUMA “SEKKUNGYUMTEWA” – CORN CLAN – HOTEVILLA VILLAGE TECHNICAL 5 FRANKLIN SHUPLA “AWIINO” – TOBACCO CLAN – TEWA VILLAGE PRIVATE ORVILLE WADSWORTH “DAWAHOYNEWA” – BEAR CLAN – SHUNGOPAVI VILLAGE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS TRAVIS S. YAIVA “SIKYAWISTIWA” – BEAR CLAN – BACAVI VILLAGE GROUP SHOT OF 81ST WILDCAT MEMBERS 81st Infantry Division – “Wild Cat Division” WW II History
On 15 June 1942, the Hopi Code Talkers were organized at Camp Rucker, Alabama, and assigned to the 81st Division. The Division moved to various training areas from 20 April 1943 to 24 June 1944, which included Army training camps in Tennessee and California. The “Wild Cat Division” departed San Francisco, California, on 3 July 1944, arriving at the Hawaii Islands on 8 July 1944.
The Division departed Hawaii on 12 August 1944 in preparation of assault combat operations on the Pacific Islands of Ulithi Atoll and Ngulu Atoll from 2 September 1944 to 16 October 1944. The Division departed the Palau Islands on 20 January 1945 and arrived at New Caledonia shortly thereafter. On 3 May 1945, the unit departed New Caledonia and arrived on Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, on 16 May 1945. Finally the “Wild Cat Division” departed the Philippines and arrived on the Japanese mainland on 25 September 1945 to conduct occupation operations following the surrender of the Japanese Empire on 2 September 1945. The 81st Infantry Division was inactivated on 20 January 1946.
Source: WWII Order of Battle, Stanton. 81st Infantry Division – Hopi Code Talkers Combat Operations Part I
The initial invasion of Angaur Island (Palau System) by the 321st Regimental Combat Team (RCT) and 322nd RCT on 17 September 1944 would have necessitated the use of Hopi Code Talkers. Major General Paul Mueller used shipboard HQ’s for the first three days of operations. Sensitive information regarding the landings would have been sent to him using Code Talkers due to the need for secure real-time actionable intelligence.
The two RCTs did not have an easy time of it at first. The 322nd RCT was hit with a vicious Japanese counterattack on its left flank on the morning of 18 September. This news required rapid communication to both the Division and Regimental HQ’s. There is little doubt that the report was transmitted in the clear using Code Talkers. Furthermore, the situation of the two RCTs was in doubt for the first three days. The two Regiments had failed to link up creating a dangerous gap. This is the kind of information that would not have waited for a coded report.
81st Infantry Division – Hopi Code Talkers Combat Operations Part 2
Following the 322nd RCT’s mop up of Angaur Island, the III Amphibious Corps to which the 81st Infantry Division was attached decided to send the 322nd RCT to reinforce the 1st Marine Division at Peleliu. The landing of troopships and their movement to Peleliu in the middle of a major battle (Operation Stalemate II) was an extremely risky undertaking. Again, it is a certainty that Hopi Code Talkers were involved in ship-to-shore communications during this high risk movement of soldiers.
Evidence suggests that many Hopi Code Talkers served with the 323rd RCT. They probably did not start with this RCT, but were assigned to the regiment when it received the assignment to end combat on Peleliu during the final phases of the campaign. As the 323rd RCT closed a ring around the last Japanese defenders the perimeter became extremely dangerous to possible friendly fire. Code Talkers were required to securely convey unit-level tactical information rapidly in order to avoid friendly fire casualties. In conclusion – Hopi Code Talkers saved lives.
Source: Dr. John A. Boyd. Command Historian, 81st Regional Support Command ASSAULT ON ANGAUR – MAP OF OPERATION HOPI CODE TALKERS – UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE
In September 2010, Rex Pooyouma was identified as a ninth Hopi Code Talker who was assigned to the 380th Bombardment Group. Later in October 2010, Orville Wadsworth was also identified as a tenth Hopi Code Talker who was assigned to the 90th Bombardment Group. Both Hopis were selected and trained as part of a secret Native American Code Talker communications network that included Crow, Sioux, Acoma, Laguna, Apache, and Chippewa to transmit secret coded messages using their native language in the Pacific campaign with the Fifth Bomber Command, Fifth Air Force, United States Army Air Force.
The Fifth Bomber Command’s unique selective group of Hopi Code Talkers and the other Native American Code Talker’s heroic actions are credited by the United States Army in saving the lives of numerous soldiers by using their native languages to communicate secret-coded messages in combat which contributed to the final victory in the Pacific and eventually to the successful end of World War II.
This recent historical discovery will add to the military history of the United States Army Air Force and to the legacy of the mighty Fifth Air Force during its World War II combat operations. Source: Hopi Veterans Services, The Hopi Tribe, 2011 HOPI CODE TALKERS UNITS
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE FIFTH AIR FORCE FIFTH BOMBER COMMAND
90TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP “The Jolly Rogers”
380TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP “The Flying Circus” HOPI CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION TRIBAL, STATE AND NATIONAL
• March 28, 2007, Hopi Tribal Resolution H-39-2007: The Hopi Tribe formally recognizes and honors eight Hopi Code Talker’s World War II contributions assigned to the 323rd Infantry “Wild Cat” Division.
• October 15, 2008, 110th Congress passed Public Law 11-420, to require the issuance of medals to recognize the dedication and valor of Native American Code Talkers.
• December 19, 2008, Hopi Tribal Resolution H-004- 2008: The Hopi Tribe formally advocates for gold medals be awarded to Hopi Code Talkers by the United States government.
HOPI CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION TRIBAL, STATE AND NATIONAL
September 9, 2009, Hopi Tribal Resolution H-087- 2009: The Hopi Tribe awards funding to purchase bronze plaque to be dedicated to Hopi Code Talkers.
November 11, 2009, Hopi Code Talker bronze plaque formally dedicated during Veterans Day event.
January 11, 2011, Hopi Tribal Resolution H-024- 2011: The Hopi Tribe recognizes and honors Rex Pooyouma and Orville Wadsworth, as ninth and tenth Hopi Code Talkers, respectively, who were assigned to the Fifth Air Force, US Army Air Force, during World War II.
HOPI CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION TRIBAL, STATE AND NATIONAL
January 18, 2011, Senator Jack Jackson Jr., Arizona Legislative, District 2, introduces Arizona Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1009, “Honoring Hopi Code Talkers” during joint Arizona Legislative Session and “Indian Nation and Tribes Legislation Day”.
April 12, 2011, SCR 1009, unanimously passes the Arizona House of Representatives, 59 – 0. Resolution sent to Arizona Secretary of State for review and signature.
May 23, 2011, “Honoring Arizona’s Hopi Code Talkers Ceremony”, formal signing of SCR 1009 by Secretary of State Ken Bennett at the Hopi Veterans Memorial Center. HOPI CODE TALKER RECOGNITION TRIBAL, STATE AND NATIONAL
March 21, 2012, Hopi Tribal Council passes tribal resolution H-041-2012, establishes April 23rd of each year as “Hopi Code Talkers Recognition Day”.
April 23, 2012, Office of the Vice Chairman, The Hopi Tribe, sponsors inaugural Hopi Code Talkers Recognition Day event at the Hopi Veterans Memorial Center.
November 20, 2013, United States Congressional Gold Medal bestowed to Hopi Tribe and Silver Medals presented to the next-of-kin of surviving Hopi Code Talker family members at U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. SENATOR JACK JACKSON JR. AND HOPI CODE TALKER FAMILIES INDIAN NATION AND TRIBES LEGISLATION DAY ARIZONA STATE CAPITOL – JANUARY 18, 2011 AZ SEN. JACK JACKSON, HOPI VICE CHAIRMAN HERMAN HONANIE, AZ SECRETARY OF STATE KEN BENNETT AND JOHN DUDAS, AZ DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES, “HONORING ARIZONA’S HOPI CODE TALKERS” CEREMONY ON MAY 23, 2011.
CHAIRMAN LEROY SHINGOITEWA, THE HOPI TRIBE, ACCEPTING CONGRESSIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKER GOLD MEDAL ON BEHALF OF THE HOPI CODE TALKERS AT U.S. CAPITOL ON NOVEMBER 20, 2013.
FAMILY MEMBERS OF HOPI CODE TALKERS GETTING READY TO RECEIVE THE CONGRESSIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKER SILVER MEDALS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN.
NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS
The Hopi Tribe recognizes and honors the military accomplishments of Native American Code Talkers who served during World War I and II.
At least 6 different Tribes had members who served as Code Talkers in World War I. At least 17 different Tribes had members who also served as Code Talkers in World War II, in addition to the Navajo Tribe.
The type of Code Talking was based on two types of coded messages. Type 1, which was a formal developed special coded- encoded vocabulary in Native American languages. Type 2 was informal use of everyday non-coded Native American languages. These Tribes included: NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS
World War I
Cherokee – Type 2 Cheyenne – Type 2 Choctaw – Type 1 Comanche – Type 2 Osage – Type 2 Yankton Sioux – Type 2
NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS
World War II
Assiniboine – Type 2 Canadian Cree – Type 2 Cherokee – Type 2 Chippewa/Oneida – Type 2 Choctaw – Type 2 Comanche – Type 1 Crow – Type 2 Hopi – Type 1 Kaw (Kansa) – Type 2 Kiowa – Type 2 Menominee – Type 2 Meskwaki (Sac & Fox) – Type 1 Muscogee/Creek Type 2 Seminole – Type 2 Navajo – Type 1 Pawnee – Type 2 Sioux – Type 2
NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS
Acoma, Apache, Laguna, Mississuaga and Tlingit were known to have used their Native language during World War II.
References:
1. Deputy Secretary of Defense letter, dated July 8, 2010, in reference to Code Talker Recognition Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-420), listing Individual Code Talkers by Tribal Affiliation.
2. Information prepared by the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs, dated February 2007.
3. American Indian Culture & Research Journal: Honoring Native American Code Talkers: The Road to the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008. Dr. William C. Meadows. September 2011.
NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS
Despite their legal status, many Native Americans without US citizenship enlisted in the United States military in 1917. By the end of the war approximately 13,500 Native Americans had served in the American Expeditionary Force. Native Americans had the highest enlistment percentage of all ethnic American groups.
The American Military first enlisted Native Americans to relay messages during World War I. In a 1918 Army report, Colonel A.W. Bloor commanding the 142nd Infantry, 36 Division, reported that he had used Choctaw Indians on several assaults and that it was successful. NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS
The United States military, based on the success of the Choctaw and other use of native languages in World War I called upon the Comanche’s in 1940 to begin more formal training in the Army’s Signal Corps.
At least 17 different Tribes/Nations utilized their native language during World War II in every major campaign and in both Pacific and European theaters.
In 1989, the French Government honored the Comanche Code Talkers by presenting them the “Chevalier of the National Order of Merit”, the highest honor the France can bestow. NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS
On June 18, 2002, US Congress passed the Code Talkers Recognition Act (HR 3250) that formally recognized the contributions of the Comanche and Sioux Code Talkers during World War II.
In July 2005, US Congress passed HR 3466, known as the Meskwaki (Sac & Fox) Code Talkers Recognition Act which formally recognized their service to the United States.
In 2001, President Bush presented four of the five living Navajo Code Talkers and relatives of 24 others the “Congressional Gold Medal”.
On November 20, 2013, United States Government officially honors and bestows Congressional Native American Code Talkers Gold Medals to over 30 Tribes at nations capitol.
Reference: Information prepared by the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs – February 2007 and Hopi Veterans Services, March 2015. TRIBES TO RECEIVE CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION MEDALS IN 2013
Acoma Pueblo– World War II Kiowa – World War II Apache – World War II Meskwaki – World War II Assiniboine – World War II Mohawk – World War II Cherokee – World War I Muskogee – World War II Chippewa Cree – World War II Oneida – World War II Choctaw – World War I and II Pawnee – World War II Comanche – World War I and II Ponca – World War II Muskogee Creek – World War II Seminole – World War II Crow – World War II Sioux – World War I & II Hopi – World War II Tlingit – World War II Laguna Pueblo – World War II
FLOYD DANN, SR. HOPI CODE TALKER – WORLD WAR II WE OWE OUR FREEDOMS AND PROTECTION OF OUR HOPI WAY OF LIFE TO THE COURAGEOUS HOPI CODE TALKERS AND ALL NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS WHO DEFENDED OUR TRIBAL HOMELANDS AND OUR COUNTRY DURING WORLD WAR ONE AND WORLD WAR TWO.
KWA’KWAY, ASQUALI, GUNDA AND THANK YOU!