Native Americans have rich history of military service

REGION: Native Americans have rich history of military service
BY JAMES RAMOS SAN MANUEL BAND OF SERRANO MISSION INDIANS
Published: 03 November 2011

November welcomes cooler weather, federal and state elections in even-numbered years, a national day of Thanksgiving and the celebration and recognition of Native American Heritage Month. This Friday marks another tribute, one that extends beyond the lines of culture, politics and race – Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day.

Native Americans have a rich history of military service and have fought to protect our Nation, even as tribes were battling for their own freedoms and rights. Indeed, Native Americans fought as soldiers in the Civil War, World War I and other conflicts years before they were even granted U.S. citizenship in 1924.

As a people, Native American military heroes are numerous. It is estimated that 12,000 American Indians served in the United States military in World War I. During World War II, 44,000 Native Americans served the country with valor, including codetalkers from a number of Indian tribes who sent messages using their ancient native languages across military radios on the battlefields.

When Iwo Jima was won, Pima Indian Ira Hayes was one of the six Marines who famously raised the U. S. flag atop Mount Suribachi, an image of sacrifice and victory that was later commemorated in both a U.S. postage stamp and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va.

Cherokee Billy Walkabout, an Airborne Ranger of the 101st, is believed to be the most decorated Indian soldier of the Vietnam War. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, five Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars.

Twenty-eight Native Americans have earned the highest military distinction of all, the Medal of Honor, including Ernest Childers and Jack C. Montgomery, both from tribes in Oklahoma, who were honored for risking their lives above and beyond the call of duty during World War II.

Today, nearly 190,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives are military veterans, according to the Department of Defense.
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