Honoring code talkers and Cherokee veterans

Like most tribal governments in America, the Cherokee Nation has a longstanding history of serving the military at a higher rate than the general U.S. population. More than 12,000 American Indians served in World War I. That was about 25 percent of the male Indian population at that time. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, an estimated 44,000 Indian men and women served in World War II, when the total tribal population nationwide was less than 350,000.

This was despite unfriendly government policies toward Native Americans at that time. In fact, Indian people did not even become U.S. citizens until 1924, but yet so many of our people stood to fight for freedom.

That’s why this Memorial Day, we’re proud to unveil a new exhibit that pays homage to our Cherokee veterans who played such a crucial role in securing our freedoms during World Wars I and II. A new exhibit on display at the Cherokee Veterans Center will honor all Native American veterans from those wars, placing emphasis on how Native languages were critical to the Allies’ success.

“Code Talkers: How Natives Saved the United States” is a new exhibit showcasing the heroism of Native Americans during World War I and World War II. The exhibit was organized by Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism and is now open, fittingly honoring veterans from Memorial Day till Veterans Day in November.

The Congressional Gold Medal our Cherokee delegation, led by Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden, accepted in 2013 is on permanent display at the Cherokee Veterans Center. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded by the United States Congress to 33 tribes for the “highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions” made by an individual or institution.

That honor rightfully recognized our military men and women for their dedication, valor and service over multiple generations.  

Code talkers were courageous individuals who chose to take on a unique and dangerous role. During World War I, Cherokee code talkers were the first to use traditional language to transmit a military-coded message for the U.S. Army. It was in the fall of 1918 when the American 30th Infantry Division served alongside the British at the Second Battle of the Somme in France.

The U.S. military continued to deploy Cherokees and other tribes, like the Navajo, Comanche and Choctaw, as code talkers again in World War II. These brave men again used their traditional words to relay complex military messages. Those transmissions in indigenous languages confused America’s enemies.

During World War II, Germany’s enigma code was eventually broken and helped lead to its defeat. On the other hand, codes of Native soldiers were never broken, serving as very real weapons on the battlefield. Across multiple wars and theaters of battle, American servicemen relied on code talkers, which ultimately lead to victory for our nation and the end of World War II.

Today, Cherokee Nation still has an exceptionally high percentage of men and women who volunteer and engage in life threatening situations around the world to defend our values of freedom and justice.

The Cherokee Nation Veterans Center is a revered place to honor that heritage and heroism and all those warriors we so deeply respect.

I encourage you to take the time to visit and explore the story of Cherokees serving and protecting our country.

Wado.