E AMER IV IC T A A N N

HEROES IN M UNIFOR Table of Contents The Chickasaw Nation... 2 The Choctaw Nation...... 4 Citizen Nation...... 6

The Chickasaw Nation Every veteran has a story. Many have Chickasaw overcome challenges currently faced by fellow service members. Chickasaw Society warriors have built a centuries-old In 2015, the Chickasaw Nation launched reputation for their prowess in battle. stickball, also known as “little brother a global outreach program to bring Though small in number, the Chickasaws of war,” has been handed down from together and assist tribal veterans. defended their Homeland and tribal generation to generation and was Governor Bill Anoatubby established the territory from intruders and enemies. historically played to settle conflicts Chickasaw Warrior Society as a social Chickasaw men commanded a strength over land and politics between Native organization that encourages community, and endurance unparalleled in the American tribes. Recorded accounts establishes and supports camaraderie Southeast, and they were not alone. of stickball date back to the early 18th and personifies the Chickasaw warrior Chickasaw women participated in century. spirit. battles as well, supporting strategy and When a dispute arose, elder tribal Chickasaw veterans and active military communications, and in some instances leaders would meet to determine a share a common bond through their fighting directly location to play stickball rather than experiences, and the Chickasaw Warrior against enemies. fight a war. This time-honored game, Society fosters the relationships of Chickasaws were usually played by men, was steeped in Chickasaw servicemen and servicewomen always prepared for ceremonial traditions. Stickball was with each other, as well as with the tribe. war. This included typically accompanied by all night stomp The Chickasaw Warrior Society is for training for warfare dancing and singing. Because stickball all Chickasaw veterans who have been by playing the was socially equivalent to waging war, honorably discharged or are currently traditional game men would paint their faces and fast for active duty, the National Guard or the of stickball. Itti' a more spiritual experience, just as they Reserves. kapochcha to'li' or would if they were preparing for battle.

2 | Native American Heroes in Uniform Since the tribe’s first encounter with the Civil War, World War I, World War also participates Europeans during the 1500s, Chickasaws II, , Vietnam War, and the in parades, have maintained a reputation as War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. pow wows, “unconquered and unconquerable.” As always, Chickasaw communities came ceremonies, together to support one another for the various tribal The first encounter of Europeans with the greater good. Chickasaw men and women functions Chickasaws was in December 1540, when answered the call to serve our great nation and patriotic Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and in every branch of the military, and have activities. his company of conquistadors arrived in fought for their country on battlefields all the Chickasaw Homeland. De Soto quickly around the world. The bond of wore out his welcome with his Chickasaw Chickasaw warriors remains strong to hosts, and the Spanish were eventually this day. Chickasaws continue to answer defeated and driven away. This encounter The Chickasaw Warrior Society the call of duty to their country, and the represented the beginning of great is one way the Chickasaw Nation Chickasaw Nation continues to work to changes for the Chickasaws. serves its veterans. ensure veterans receive the best services and care earned for their commitment. The Spanish, French and British began The Chickasaw Honor Guard, part of the Chickasaw warriors are leading the way to interact with the Chickasaws. These tribe’s veterans services, conducts military for the next generation of veterans who European nations found themselves honors at funerals and memorial services will one day join them as comrades in a dependent on the Southeastern Indians for Chickasaw veterans. The Honor Guard proud and storied history. for greater military protection against warring nations and to aid in their efforts to develop colonies throughout the Southeast. The British, French and Spanish armies all witnessed firsthand the ferocity and strength of the Jeraldine Brown Raymond Harvey Southeastern Indians who could overtake the Europeans through Southeastern Jerry Brown spent Harvey is a Medal strategies of military warfare. Chickasaw her entire life serv- of Honor Recipient trade relationships with European nations ing her country and and a Chickasaw were exclusively and strategically planned her community. Hall of Fame 2017 to acquire the non-Indian supplies and When she was 17, inductee. Army resources Chickasaw warriors and she enrolled at Okla- Raymond families needed. homa A&M College Harvey served in to study education. both World War As the United States started to expand, She graduated with II and the Korean European settlers flooded into Native a bachelor’s degree War. He enlisted American lands. This led to land cessions in 1943 and later after finishing high that reduced the Chickasaw ancestral earned a master’s degree. Shortly after gradu- school and deployed to the European The- domain to only the northern part of ating in 1943, Brown felt compelled to enlist ater. He earned the Distinguished Service Mississippi. The U.S. Congress passed in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. During Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and the Indian Removal Act in 1830. This World War II, she served in a photo-intelligence two Purple Hearts. He returned to service in act impacted Chickasaws and other unit at the Pentagon. After serving her country, 1948 and was part of the amphibious assault Southeastern Indians who were removed she continued to contribute to her community at Inchon, in 1950. During combat from their homelands. through education while teaching until she on Hill 1232, Harvey earned the Medal of retired at 90 years old. Following retirement, Honor. His service continued after the war, as Even after removal, Chickasaws remained Brown was an active member of the University he became director of Indian Affairs for the devoted to defending their homes and way of Oklahoma Medical Center Edmond Volun- Arizona State Emergency Services until his of life, and Chickasaw warriors stepped teer Auxiliary. She also served as president and retirement in 1981. forth in defense of their country during was named Volunteer of the Year. the American Revolution, the ,

Native American Heroes in Uniform | 3 The Choctaw Nation The Choctaw people have a long history of defending and proudly serving in all divisions of the Armed Forces. From the early days of Choctaw Code Talkers to present day Airlift Command and Veterans Advocacy Programs, the Choctaw Nation proudly honors and cares for its Veterans.

CHOCTAW CODE TALKERS Choctaw men were recruited to transmit Among the Choctaw veterans of the messages and devise a system of first world war were nineteen who are communications. Within twenty-four now heralded as “WWI Choctaw Code hours after these telephone warriors Talkers.” These telephone warriors began their work, the tide of the were: Solomon Bond Lewis, Mitchell battle had turned, and in less than 72 Choctaws were also Code Talkers Bobb, Robert Taylor, Calvin Wilson, hours the Germans were retreating in WWII. Choctaws were leaders in Pete Maytubby, James M. Edwards, Jeff and the Allies were on full attack. having legislation passed in 2008 so Nelson, Tobias William Frazier, Benjamin The achievements were sufficient to that Congressional Gold Medals could W. Hampton, Albert Billy, Walter Veach, encourage a training program for future be awarded to all Native American Joseph Davenport, George Davenport, Code Talkers. The armistice was signed Code Talkers. Thirty-two tribes were Noel Johnson, Ben Colbert, Victor Brown, on November 11, 1918. The Choctaws recognized in ceremonies held in Ben Carterby and Joseph Oklahombi. had established the standard for all Washington, D.C. thanks to the Code These soldiers came together in WWI other Code Talkers to follow. Talker Recognition Act. in in October and November of 1918 to fight as a unified force against the enemy. The 36th Division moved to the western front on October 6, 1918. Although the American forces were late in entering the war that had begun in 1914, their participation provided the margin of victory as the war came to an end.

On October 8, 1918 the 36th Division was engaged in a major battle at St. Etienne. This was a hard-fought battle, with poor communication and large losses on the Allied Forces side. In the Army Reorganization Hearings in the Sixty-Sixth Congress, information was shared regarding six Choctaws from the 36th Division using their language as a successful weapon in October 1918. They were under Lieut. Col. Morrissey and Capt. Horner, working in conjunction with the Fourth French Army on the Champagne front. Three Choctaws were at headquarters, three on the firing line, and messages transmitted in Choctaw were said to be very effective - never “Mathers Museum of World Cultures, Indiana University”. Choctaw Code Talkers Capt. E.H. Horner, Pvt. James Davenport, Corp. James deciphered by the German Army. Edwards, Corp. Calvin Wilson, Pvt. Mitchell Bobb, Corp. Taylor Lewis.

4 | Native American Heroes in Uniform Words from testimony to the Army Reorganization Hearings: Joseph Dixon, leader of the Rodman Wannamaker Historical technical expressions, so that it became necessary to make expedition to the North American states, “They knew that the a table of substitutions. For instance, we called regiment ‘the Germans had a superior listening-in system and were finding tribe,’ First Battalion, ‘One grain corn,’ company, ‘Bow,’ platoon, out the entire movements of the American and French troops. ‘Thong,’ machine gun, ‘Little-gun-shoot-fast,’ artillery, ‘Big gun,’ Therefore, the commander ordered over the telephone a movement ammunition, ‘arrows,” grenades, ‘stones,’ rations, ‘food’ attack, of troops at a certain spot at 8 o’clock that night, which of course ‘fight,’ patrol, ‘Many scouts,’ casualties, ‘scalps,’ gas, ‘Bad air’.” was a false command. At precisely 8 o’clock that night, the Germans put down a terrific barrage on the exact spot. It was Col Morrissey states, “We found that the Germans knew absolutely then that Col. Morrissey and Capt. Horner conceived the idea of nothing about our preparations and were taken completely by using the Indian in his own dialect, and therefore they placed six surprise. This was the first time that we surprised the Germans Indians at the end of the telephone wire, three at headquarters during our stay in the lines, and I attribute it in many respects and three on the firing line, and the messages were transmitted to the fact that the Choctaw language was used in making in the Choctaw dialect, which proved to be very effective during preparations for this attack. And thus it comes about again that the short time that it was used. One can imagine that this barbed the Indian was needed to outwit the Hun. Col. Morrissey was asked wire conversation was a barrage that nonplussed the puzzled if he had to fight the war over again, and he had command of a Germans. There were of course, difficulties in using Choctaw, regiment, if he would like to have any Indians in it. He made the as there are no words in the Choctaw tongue for many military reply: “I would make every effort to fill my regiment with Indians.”

These wounded veterans often These pilots do everything to make sure have a difficult time traveling that the passengers are comfortable and commercially and Veteran Airlift taken care of on their flight. This service Command makes this process much is one of the ways the Choctaw Nation easier on them. “What Veteran continues to honor those who have given so Airlift Command provides-and much for the freedoms and liberty we enjoy therefore those who work with VAC, every day. like the Choctaw Nation, provide such a stress-free way to travel. It’s CHOCTAW NATION VETERANS hard to travel commercially…It’s ADVOCACY PROGRAM stressful…I know guys who have The Choctaw Nation Veterans Advocacy “Photo courtesy of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma”. Pilot John Wesley, Veteran Michael had to remove their prosthetic limbs Program exists to ensure that Native Jernigan and Pilot Quentin McLarry. and that’s embarrassing…Veteran American Veterans receive benefits and Airlift Command truly alleviates VETERAN AIRLIFT COMMAND services on par with other Veterans, all that (stress).” said Michael Jernigan, a The Choctaw Nation is passionate about see that they encounter no barriers veteran who was transported through VAC honoring and supporting veterans. or impediments in their attempts to by the Choctaw Nation in August. One of the ways they do this is through access these services and are treated partnering with an organization called The Choctaw Nation has been working with respect and dignity by VA service Veteran Airlift Command (VAC). VAC with VAC for seven years now and providers. Any Native American Veteran provides transportation to wounded routinely complete about 16 flights per year or family member of a Native American veterans in order to make travel easier transporting veterans. Veteran is eligible for services from the and less stressful for them. The Choctaw Choctaw Nation Veterans Advocacy Nation owns two planes that frequently Al Cherry, the director of flight operations Department (must be a member of a fly executives to important events and and a pilot with the Choctaw Nation said, federally recognized tribe). The program meetings as well as transport tribal “Flying for the VAC is one of the best assists with VA claims, applications, members from time to time. When they feelings I get when flying. I grew up in referrals, care packages, cell phones for are not being used for tribal business, an era when veterans were despised and soldiers, Choctaw Veteran Cemetery and our pilots will schedule flights with rejected. Being able to give back to those Color Guard scheduling. The program Veteran Airlift Command to transport that have given so much for our freedoms is also assists all Veterans with benefit veterans and their families. the best part of my job.” processing services.

Native American Heroes in Uniform | 5 Citizen Potawatomi Nation

The legacy of Potawatomi warriors is hearted, and this rank was respected by a historical and cultural testament all those within and outside of the Tribe. that spans traditional warfare before Potawatomi warriors have played an the arrival of Europeans, the Civil and integral role in shaping both the Native World Wars, Asian conflicts and the landscape and American history. War on Terror in the Middle East and throughout the world. There is much The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is among pride in being a Potawatomi warrior. hundreds of tribes throughout history Much like our military today, there were who have fought to defend their culture, freedoms, Native communities have many traditional rites and tests a young community and civil rights. From the and will always adhere to their strong person had to endure to be granted the intertribal conflicts of the distant past, warrior traditions to fight for and title of Wédasé, meaning brave or strong to the international wars preserving defend what is necessary. Wabaunsee Wabaunsee [He Walks at Dawn], was born in Terre Coupe, Indiana in 1747. His father Wabskum [White Bag] was a veteran of the French and Indian War and his brother Mucketepoke [Black Pheasant] was famous for his battles during the Northwest Indian Wars and War of 1812. Known as a remarkable hunter, Wabaunsee’s warrior training began at an early age. As a teenager, he joined his brother’s war parties, fighting alongside many other historical Potawatomi warriors. With several victories and acts of bravery, Wabaunsee was allowed to lead his own war parties. His prowess in battle led to him becoming an influential headman among the Potawatomi, Odawa and Ojibwe villages of , and Indiana. With a reputation that preceded him, Wabaunsee led warriors during the Osage Wars [1790], Battle of Tippecanoe [1811] and War of 1812. It was in battle that he received his warrior name. It is said that when an enemy saw him or were in his grasp that they would turn pale, resembling the first light of day. From that day forward he was always known as Wabaunsee, signifying the dawn of day or causer of paleness

Openly opposed to American expansion, yet understanding the need to delegate for peace and the survival of his people, his name came be found among the treaties penned between the United States and Potawatomi Nation. Resulting from the Treaty of Chicago [1833], Wabaunsee steered removal negotiations for the United Band of Chippewa, Ottawa and Potawatomi, and led the villages of Illinois and Wisconsin to a new reservation in Council Bluffs, .

6 | Native American Heroes in Uniform Richard Johnson

With an extensive and distinguished career in "It wasn't too long after the War the , the honor of Wédasé started that almost everything was extended to Richard Vincent Johnson. imaginable became a ration item." For valor during the Ryukyu Campaign, Western Pacific Campaign and Battle of "My father had to apply for Okinawa during World War II, First Lieutenant certificates covered under the Johnson received numerous commendations rationing program, so we could including the [oak leaf purchase certain foods or clothing cluster], and Commendation like shoes, rubber boots, sugar, Medal. For the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and meats and cheeses. You name it other acts of bravery during the Korean War, and it was rationed. Gasoline and First Lieutenant Johnson was awarded the oil products were only allowed Bronze Star Medal [two oak leaf clusters], for purchase if you had a sticker Purple Heart [oak leaf cluster], Combat on the windshield of the car that Infantryman Badge [star], United Nations read A, B or C. That designated Service Medal and Korean Presidential what the gas was to be used for. Medal. In 2003, First Lieutenant Johnson was If you had a flat or blowout you inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of were in trouble until you were Fame and National Society of Scabbard and issued a certificate to buy a new Blade. tire. All old tires and rubber items were collected and given for the "I was born on December 15, 1922 in war effort. At the time war was Tecumseh, Oklahoma, the third son and declared, I was a senior at Sanger fifth child of David P. and Kate V. Johnson. High School and was allowed Just before the Great Depression, we moved to graduate soon after coming to Sanger, California, where I attended back from Christmas break, so elementary and high school. As a kid, I as to enlist into the military or go worked at picking grapes and doing other to work and support a family. I farm chores like bailing hay, feeding livestock entered on July 25, 1944 and and milking cows, a normal farming life at served for ten and half years that time. This normal way of life took a in the U.S. Army Infantry and drastic turn one Sunday morning in early Reserves. It seems like only a December 1941, when we were told by a few years have passed since that neighbor that the Japanese had just bombed Sunday morning in December a place called Pearl Harbor, where many of 1941, but sixty-three plus years our naval ships were docked. Not sure what have gone by and I can still the problem was, but soon found out from remember how everyone seemed our president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, that to gather around the effort to the United States had declared war on Japan. win a war not of our choosing. Having four brothers and myself old enough What a grand experience, but for military service, it was then decided that very difficult to place into words, at least one would try to get deferred long because today that togetherness enough, so that the rest of the family would seems to have been lost or remember only the happy times and not dwell have a wage earner for support. I won the forgotten. My pride lies in the fact that during long on the bad times. It’s the bad times shorter stick and was left behind for several the passing years since WWII and fifty-seven that people seem to believe is necessary to months, while my two older brothers Jim and years of married life, with five successful be paraded forth for others to understand Andy, and younger brother Charley, went off grown children and a wonderful wife, it all what it was like then. What the future holds is to war." seems worth it to be able to look back and anybody’s guess." - Richard V. Johnson

Native American Heroes in Uniform | 7