Each November the United States celebrates Veteran’s Day. The 11th of the month was originally designated as Armistice Day in 1919. This was in commemoration of the Armistice Agreement, and in honor of all who had served in World War I. In 1938, Congress declared it a federal holiday, dedicated to world peace. As the result of a grassroots effort in Kansas, it was changed in 1954 to honor all US veterans and renamed Veteran’s Day. This day is of great importance to American Indians. Each and every American Indian family includes a Veteran.
US Military history and that of the American Indian have been entwined since the beginnings of our country. They assisted the colonists during the Revolutionary War. The story is told how Indians in the eastern swamps of the Carolinas helped Francis Marion, The Swamp Fox, attack and evade the British. General Washington is attributed with stating, ”I think they can be made of excellent use as scouts and light troops.” Tribes were also involved in the Battle of 1812.
Native Americans fought during the American Civil War. Over 3,000 Union soldiers were listed as Indian and this is most certainly a low estimate. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 had many hiding their Indian ethnicity. This action had split the Cherokee Nation. The smaller group aligned with the Confederacy, and the larger supported the Union. Confederate records include units comprised of southern Tribal members, including Creek, Choctaw, and Chickasaw. Afterwards, the US Army set up an Indian Scouts unit, primarily for service in the western territories. This unit was active for over 80 years. In the Spanish-American War of 1898, American Indians served with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.
When the US entered World War I, thousands of Native young men enlisted. Many of them were not yet recognized as citizens by the country they chose to defend. A group of Cherokee from the US Army 30th Infantry Division, attached to a British unit at the Second Battle of Somme, are considered the first to use their native language for coded messages during combat. After developing their own code, Choctaw soldiers with the 36th Infantry Division and the American Expeditionary Forces were crucial to defenses in France and advances into Germany. Over 12,000 American Indians served during World War I. Not inclusive of those still hiding their ethnicity and those of mixed blood, this estimate is also understated. However, their bravery and honorable service no doubt contributed to passage of the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924.
The use of American Indian language in codes during combat was classified, but not unknown to other governments. It is said that after Hitler’s rise to power, he sent a group of anthropologists to the US to learn Native languages. Not realizing the diversity and vast number of dialects, it was an impossible task. American intelligence was aware of this effort, and the use of Code Talkers was limited in Europe. Since declassification, Navajo Code Talkers have been widely and rightfully recognized for their service in the Pacific theater during World War II.
Not as well known are the Comanche who stormed Utah Beach during the Invasion of Normandy. The 4th Signal Company had compiled a code based on the Comanche language, similar to that in Navajo. A pair of Comanche Code Talkers was assigned to each regiment, and this proved an invaluable asset to the liberation of France. Even fewer have heard of the Meskwaki. A small Tribe in Iowa, the Meskwaki had 27 of their young men enlist together in January 1941. This was 16% of the Tribe’s population. They also served together, and used their Native language for communications against the Germans in North Africa.
From 1941 to 1945, the American Indian population was estimated at 350,000. Again, this is a low count, and probably more representative of reservation populations and those who braved to declare themselves “Indian” on census records. Even so, the number of Native Americans who served admirably during World War II exceeded 10% of their entire population. Some were drafted, but a much higher percentage enlisted, as they had for World War I. After World War II, Native Americans continued to enlist and swell the ranks in all branches of the US Military. Young men joined their battle experienced relatives for combat in both Korea and Vietnam. More than 42,000 American Indians served in Vietnam, and more than 90% of them volunteered.
In the years between the Fall of Saigon, Vietnam and Desert Storm in Kuwait, one of every four Native men was a Veteran.
During this time, the US military began actively recruiting women. Work experience during enlistment and veteran college benefits opened career opportunities for Native women as never before. They too volunteered, and have served the United States admirably in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world. Based on population, American Indians continue to have the highest percentage of military service of any ethnic group in our nation.
There are cultural differences between the numerous Indian Tribes, but bravery, service, and sacrifice are sacred to all. On Veteran’s Day, as we honor those who have served, we include ourselves in a Native “Family” Tradition. To each and every American Veteran,
Native Americans in the U.S. Military
