Native American Heroes in Uniform – Workbook

IVE AT AM N E R I C A HEROES N I N U N I FORM Table of Contents The Chickasaw Nation .. 2 The Choctaw Nation ...... 4 Citizen Potawatomi Nation ............................ 6 The Chickasaw Nation Every veteran has a story. Many have Chickasaw overcome challenges currently faced by fellow service members. Chickasaw Warrior 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, Korean War, 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- Colonel 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, Korea 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 War of 1812, 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 France 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

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