The Stories
The purpose of the American Indian Veterans Monument is to honor the lives of American Indian Veterans who have served in the military throughout the history of the United States. Their stories must be told and their legacy preserved, for the benefit of future generations.
There is no national monument dedicated to those who have demonstrated tremendous courage and dedication to military service in defending their country.
It would be a tragedy if this history was not memorialized and their stories passed on to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Below are a few showcased stories from the myriad of stories to be told. Those who are unaware of the significant contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, will appreciate these short story "snapshots."
The specific stories below were chosen to represent the various categories and are part of public domain, therefore, able to be used freely. Stories are referenced on the Naval History & Heritage Command website.
. . . from the first Native American to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1917 to Private First Class Ira H. Hayes, USMC, who was one of the flag-raisers for the iconic "Flag Raising on Iwo Jima”
On the bridge of USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) during operations in the Mediterranean Sea, 21 February 1949.
Photographed by AF2C Dalton. Clark was the first Native American graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, 1917, and was the first Native American to attain the rank of full Admiral upon his retirement in 1953.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives.
Photographed circa 1904. Snow belonged to the Seneca tribe and served on board the Presidential yacht, USS Mayflower, in 1905. His brother Albert W. Snow also served in the United States Navy.
Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution Photograph.
Photographed circa 1904. Snow belonged to the Seneca tribe and served on board the torpedo boat USS Worden during this time. His brother William W. Snow also served in the United States Navy.
Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution Photograph.
Seaman DeCora salutes while on board an unidentified ship, June 1942. DeCora was from the Winnebago Tribe.
U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
The Native American Marine Corps Women Reservists are pictured at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The Women Marines are (left to right):
Minnie Spotted Wolf (Blackfoot Tribe), Celia Mix (Potawatomi Tribe), and
Viola Eastman (Chippewa Tribe)
Photographed 16 October 1943. U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
Shown in flight-gear while he was the Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred and Fourteen (VMF-214), circa 1943-1944. On 3 January 1944, while on a night mission over Rabaul, Boyington was shot down and picked up by a Japanese submarine. He spent the next twenty months as a prisoner of war. While in captivity Boyington was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. After the Japanese capitulation in August 1945, he was released from the Omori Prison Camp near Tokyo, Japan and returned to the United States. In recognition of his "extraordinary heroism and valiant devotion to duty" while in command of VMF-214, Lieutenant Colonel Boyington was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman in October 1945 White House ceremonies.
Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Collection. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
On 25 October 1944, during the Battle off Samar, Evans led USS Johnston (DD-557) and her crew in an attack on a greatly superior Japanese battleship and cruiser force. In this action, which contributed to the defeat of the Japanese counter-offensive against the Leyte invasion, Commander Evans and his ship were lost. Ernest E. Evans was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his role in the Battle off Samar.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Halftone reproduction of a photograph from "All Hands", circa 1945.
Eagle was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his "extraordinary heroism" during the Iwo Jima Campaign. On 10 March 1945, while under an intense Japanese enemy attack, he eventually became the sole remaining Browning Unit Rifleman from his unit able to counter the fire. Refusing to leave his gun, though wounded, he remained until all of his fallen comrades were evacuated. Wounded numerous times while providing cover, Eagle eventually succumbed to his wounds. Private First Class Eagle was from the Chippewa tribe.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Halftone reproduction of a photograph from the publication "Indians at War", circa 1945.
Redday served on board submarines during World War II. The submarine he served on sank 14 and damaged seven enemy vessels. During his time in the Navy, he was transferred the Veteran's Hospital at Minneapolis due to tuberculosis, which improved in the fresh air of his homeland.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Private First Class Hayes, USMC, a Pima Native American, is shown at the age of 19. He is ready to jump at Marine Corps Paratroop School. Hayes was one of the four Marines in the Iwo Jima flag-raising photograph. Photographed circa 1943.
U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
Code Talkers braved the dense jungles and exposed beaches, and their unbreakable code played a major role in saving Allied Force lives and shortening the war. On 26 July 2001, President George W. Bush presented Gold Medals to four of the five surviving Navajo Code Talkers at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Private First Class Trosip, from Oraibi, Arizona, at a communication system on the island of Saipan, July 1944.
Photographed by Sergeant Williams, USMC.
U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
These two Marines take camp life with ease and are shown here before their little shelter on a hillside on Guam many miles from their Arizona homes. They are both attached to a communications unit and are veterans of many brushes with the Japanese, 27 March 1943.
U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
These Privates First Class participated in the Marine Corps Pacific Division Rifle and Pistol matches at Puuloa Point, then Territory of Hawaii. Both were full-blooded Native American Marines. Both Marines fired a total score of 545 out of a possible six hundred, but Yazzie fired a higher score on the second day and placed third while Nez placed fourth. Yazzie received a gold medal, Nez the first silver medal. Presentations were made by Brigadier General H.D. Linscott, Commanding General Marine Garrison Forces, Pacific. Both Marines represented the First Marine Division in these matches.
Courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps - U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Bake and Kirk were Navajo Indians serving with a Marine Signal Unit. They are operating a portable radio set in a clearing they've hacked in the dense jungle close behind the front lines.
Photographed in December 1943 at Bougainville.
U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
These Native American fighters, all from the Navajo tribe.
Front Row: (left to right): Private Earl Johnny, USMC; Private Kee Etsictty, USMC;
Private John V. Goodluck, USMC; Private First Class David Jordan, USMC
Back Row: (left to right): Private Jack C. Morgan, USMC; Private George H. Kirk, USMC;
Private Tom H. Jones, USMC; Corporal Henry Bake, Jr., USMC
Photographed at Bougainville, December 1943. U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
These Navajo Native American Code Talkers were cousins and attached to a Marine Artillery Regiment in the South Pacific. They relayed orders over a field radio using their native tongue. Photographed on 7 July 1943.
U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
These Native American Marines were photographed in March 1945 while on their way to the Japanese war front. Privates First Class Williams and Kellwood were from the Navajo tribe while Private Saupitty was from the Comanche tribe. All were veterans from the Battle of Peleliu, September-October 1944.
U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.
The President of the United States presents the Congressional Gold Medals to four of the five remaining former Navajo Code Talkers who served during World War II in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, 26 July 2001.
Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Airman Jose Porcayo, assigned to USS Constitution shares a laugh with veterans who served in the U.S. Marine Corps as Navajo Code Talkers during World War II at a book signing during Albuquerque Navy Week.
Photographed by MC1 Eric Brown, USN
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Native Americans joined the United States' call to fight Communism and participated in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Between 10,000 to 15,000 Native Americans served in the Korean War, while approximately 14,500 Native Americans served in the Vietnam War. Female Native Americans also enlisted to serve in this period such as Yeoman Second Class Verna Fender, USN, and Sergeant Frances E. Totsoni, USMC.
Halftone photograph from "All Hands" magazine, October 1951. Original caption reads, "Sea-going 'brave,' Guy M. Metoxen, a descendent of an Onieda tribal chief, makes chief in his own right."
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Petty Officer Fender, a Native American, served during the Korean War period and was trained at Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland. This picture was taken circa mid-1950s.
Courtesy of the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, Inc.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph.
Halftone photograph from "All Hands" magazine, November 1961. Original caption reads, "John Lightning, USN, who is also Chief of a Canadian Indian tribe, receives his hard hat from his division officer."
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval History and Heritage Command.
A South Carolina Cherokee, Williams served as Boat Captain and Patrol Officer on board River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 in Vietnam. On 31 October 1966, his boat was taken under fire and faced a superior number of enemy vessels, Williams led his men to sink 65 enemy craft and inflicted numerous casualties amongst the enemy. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," he was awarded the Medal of Honor. On 13 October 1999, Williams died and is buried at Florence National Cemetery, Florence, South Carolina. USS James E. Williams (DDG-95) is named in his honor.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Private First Class Joseph Big Medicine Jr., from the Cheyenne tribe, writes a letter to his family in the United States. He is a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, on a search, clear and destroy mission, seven miles east of the Marine Combat Base at An Hoa, 21 July 1969.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives.
Sergeant Totsoni served from February 1972-January 1975.
Courtesy of the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, Inc.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Petty Officer Thornton, a South Carolina Cherokee, and his wife, Gladys, (center), are surrounded by his family and a close friend at the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon, following a ceremony at the White House in which President Richard M. Nixon presented the Medal of Honor award to nine recipients. Thornton was the only Navy man to receive one at the ceremony. The family consists of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin G. Thornton and his brother, Mark. The friend is Lieutenant Tom Norse (also a Medal of Honor recipient), whose life Thornton saved on 31 October 1972 while on a mission in Vietnam.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
TD2 Homeskye, Chippewa tribe, works on a piece of equipment, mid-to-late 1970s.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
This photograph was part of the Navy's mid-1970s recruitment program to recruit Americans of ethnic diversity. The helmsman and quartermaster in the picture are Native Americans on board this unidentified ship.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Native Americans began this period with the achievement of the first Native American female, Midshipman Sarah Hinds, to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981. Naval Test Parachutist Misty D. Warren, USN, was selected by NASA to test equipment fitted for female astronauts and participated in NASA's Space Shuttle Recovery Systems Surveillance Test Program in Houston, Texas. Also with NASA, Commander John B. Herrington, USN, flew on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2002. On this mission, he became the first Native American to walk in space.
Halftone photograph from the official Navy publication, "The Lucky Bag," 1981.
Midshipman Hinds was the first Native American woman to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. In that same year, the first four Hispanic females also graduated from the academy.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph
Seaman Roger Littlejohn, a Radioman on board the frigate USS Whipple (FF-1062), proofreads a perforated tape in the ship's communication center, May 1982.
Department of Defense Still Media Photograph
Halftone photograph from "All Hands" magazine, June 1988. During the time of this article, IM2 White Bear served on board USS Jason (AR-8). She entered the Navy in June 1981 from Omaha and previously worked in the state of Nebraska at various hospitals and juvenile facilities. She stated, "The Navy has made many opportunities available to me, and I have used those opportunities."
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Naval Test Parachutist Misty D. Warren, a Choctaw, attended Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning in October 1998 and earned her Basic Parachutist Jump Wings. NASA selected her to test equipment fitted for female astronauts. Warren also has participated in the NASA's Space Shuttle Recovery Systems Surveillance Test Program in Houston, Texas.
Donation of Misty D. Warren.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph
Fireman Apprentice Barney says a Navajo prayer to start off Native American and Alaskan Native Heritage Month celebration on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). Truman's Carrier Strike Group (CSG-10) and her embarked Carrier Airwing Three (CVW-3) were then currently on a scheduled deployment supporting the Global War on Terrorism, November 2004.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph
Rear Admiral Holmes, a North Carolina Lumbee, speaks to Wing Eleven personnel in a hanger on board Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. Rear Adm. Holmes discussed the changes and the impact in the P-3 Orion community, August 2005. Completing Aviation Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned an Ensign in 1973 and retired a two-star admiral in 2005. At the time, Holmes was the highest ranking Native American in the armed services.
Photographed by PMAN Jacqueline Hall, USN. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph
Interior Communications Electrician Second Class Alexander Manygoats explains the significance and symbolism of a Native American marriage basket at a presentation given by USS Carl Vinson's (CVN-70) American Heritage Observance Committee during an observance of American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. Carl Vinson was then undergoing a scheduled refueling complex overhaul at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, 2006.
Photograph by MC3 Amanda L. Bruechert. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph
An Oklahoma Cherokee, Trussler graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1985 and has spent his career within the submarine community. From 2003 to 2006, he commanded USS Maryland (SSBN 738) and became Commander, Task Force 69, Sixth Fleet, overseeing all submarine and undersea warfare operations in the Mediterranean Sea in 2008.
Photographed circa 2008.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph
Former NASA Astronaut and retired Commander Herrington, left, presents the Eagle Staff while First Naval Construction Division Budgeting and Planning Officer Lieutenant Ken Vargas, right, present the American Flag during the presentation of colors at the opening ceremony of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference at the Oregon Convention Center, October 2009.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
American Indians have been among those soldiers to be distinguished by receiving the United States' highest military honor: the Medal of Honor. Given for military heroism "above and beyond the call of duty," these warriors exhibited extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy and, in two cases, made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
A Cherokee from Oklahoma, and a First Lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division Thunderbirds. On 22 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery's rifle platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces, when he single-handedly attacked all three positions, taking prisoners in the process. As a result of his courage, Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy and inspired his men to defeat the Axis troops.
A Creek from Oklahoma, and a First Lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division. Childers received the Medal of Honor for heroic action in 1943 when, up against machine gun fire, he and eight men charged the enemy. Although suffering a broken foot in the assault, Childers ordered covering fire and advanced up the hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun nests, and capturing an enemy mortar observer.
A Choctaw from Mississippi, and a Second Lieutenant in the Thunderbirds. On 23 May 1944, during the breakout from Anzio to Rome, Barfoot knocked out two machine gun nests and captured 17 German soldiers. Later that same day, he repelled a German tank assault, destroyed a Nazi fieldpiece and while returning to camp carried two wounded commanders to safety.
A Ho-Chunk from Wisconsin, and a Corporal in Company E., 19th Infantry Regiment in Korea. On 5 November 1950, Red Cloud was on a ridge guarding his company command post when he was surprised by Chinese communist forces. He sounded the alarm and stayed in his position firing his automatic rifle and point-blank to check the assault. This gave his company time to consolidate their defenses. After being severely wounded by enemy fire, he refused assistance and continued firing upon the enemy until he was fatally wounded. His heroic action prevented the enemy from overrunning his company's position and gained time for evacuation of the wounded.
A half-Cherokee and one-quarter-Creek, a Naval Academy graduate, and a Lieutenant Commander serving onboard USS Johnston (DD-557). During the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944 Johnston formed part of Task Unit 77.4.3 (Taffy 3), which came under attack by a vastly superior Japanese force comprising battleships, heavy and light cruisers and destroyers. In spite of the odds, Evans gave orders to close the range and prepare for a torpedo attack, informing his crew that "survival cannot be expected." As his ship and the other destroyers of Taffy 3 drove the attack home, Japanese fire took the inevitable toll. After unloosing a spread of torpedoes, Johnston was so badly damaged that Evans had to give the order to abandon ship. It is uncertain whether Evans died of wounds on board his ship or drowned after jumping into the water, but he was not among the Johnston's crew who were rescued.
A Cherokee from North Carolina, and Private First Class in Korea when he was killed on 30 November 1952. During battle, George threw himself upon a grenade and smothered it with his body. In doing so, he sacrificed his own life but saved the lives of his comrades. For this brave and selfless act, George was posthumously award the Medal of Honor in 1954.
A Cherokee from South Carolina and Boatswain's Mate First Class. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of River Section 531 during combat operations on the Mekong River in the Republic of Vietnam. Under the leadership of Petty Officer Williams, who demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage throughout the three hour battle, the patrol accounted for the destruction or loss of sixty-five enemy boats and inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy personnel. His extraordinary heroism and exemplary fighting spirit in the face of grave risks inspired the efforts of his men to defeat a larger enemy force, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
A Cherokee from South Carolina and Engineman Second Class. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while participating in a daring operation against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on October 31, 1972. Petty Officer Thornton, an assistant U.S. Navy advisor, along with a U.S. Navy lieutenant serving as senior advisor, accompanied a three-man Vietnamese Navy SEAL patrol in an operation against an enemy river base. As the patrol approached its objective on foot, it came under heavy fire from a numerically superior force. READ MORE
A Sioux of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation and a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard. Keeble was a highly-decorated U.S. war veteran but did not receive his Medal of Honor until some 16 years after his death.
He was the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive this medal.
A half-Yaqui Indian and half-Hispanic, a U.S. Army Master Sergeant Special Forces soldier. Benavidez (then Staff Sergeant) distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 2 May 1968, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team was inserted by helicopters in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh, Vietnam to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy activity. This area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North Vietnamese Army. READ MORE
A Sioux from Idaho, a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and Colonel in the Marine Corps. Boyington was a highly decorated American combat pilot who was a United States Marine Corps fighter ace during World War II. He received both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. Boyington was initially a P-40 Warhawk combat pilot with the legendary "Flying Tigers" (1st American Volunteer Group) in the Republic of China Air Force in Burma at the end of 1941 and part of 1942; during the military conflict between China and Japan, and the beginning of World War II. READ MORE
A Chickasaw from Oklahoma, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army during WWII and the Korean War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 9, 1951. Capt. Harvey Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. When his company was pinned down by a barrage of automatic weapons fire from numerous well-entrenched emplacements, imperiling accomplishment of its mission, Capt. Harvey braved a hail of fire and exploding grenades to advance to the first enemy machine gun nest, killing its crew with grenades. READ MORE
A Choctaw from Oklahoma, a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 8-9, 1951. Sfc. Burris, a member of Company L, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 October, when his company encountered intense fire from an entrenched hostile force, Sfc. Burris charged forward alone, throwing grenades into the position and destroying approximately 15 of the enemy. READ MORE
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The Legacy Continues
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