Mourning the loss of Ernest Childers
One of five American Indians to receive Medal of Honor passes away
TULSA OK
Sam Lewin 3/18/2005
It has been a difficult time for Indian County as yet another venerable leader has passed away.
Ernest Childers, a Creek Indian from Broken Arrow, died Thursday in Muskogee at the age of 87. His death comes on the heels of the passing of Paulette Tall Chief and David Risling (see related stories).
Childer was one of five American Indians to receive the Medal of Honor-an honor he garnered for a spectacular act of bravery during World War II. It happened in Italy in 1943, as Childers, a second lieutenant in the 45th Infantry Division, charged along with eight other men toward a German machinegun position. According to eyewitnesses, the group advanced to a rock wall overlooking a cornfield and Childers, already suffering from a broken foot, ordered a base of fire laid across the field so that he could proceed alone. He immediately came under fire from two enemy snipers.
"I felt the heat from the bullets, so I came to the conclusion that they were after me," Childers recalled several years before his death.
Childers returned fire and killed both snipers before advancing to the machinegun positions. He single-handedly took out everyone in the first position, and opened fire along with the others in his unit on the second one, neutralizing that as well.
Childers wasn’t done yet. He continued on to a house further up the hill and alone captured an enemy mortar observer.
“The exceptional leadership, initiative, calmness under fire, and conspicuous gallantry displayed by 2d Lt. Childers were an inspiration to his men,” states the official proclamation awarding him the Medal of Honor.
Childers’ first brush with military service came when he joined the National Guard while still at Chilocco Indian Agriculture School in 1937. His service ended when he retired in 1965 at Fort Sill.
Childers was proud of his Indian heritage and the contribution Native Americans make the armed forces.
"The American Indian has only one country to defend, and when you're picked on, the American Indian never turns his back,” he said in 2001.
He also spoke out against racism, saying, “I am also witnessing disturbing situations involving certain people who call themselves Americans. Even though as a Native American I have darker skin than some Americans, that doesn't mean that I'm any less patriotic than any other American. Even during those times in our history when Native Americans were persecuted and discriminated against, we still volunteered for military service. Remember, Native Americans didn't even receive the vote until after WWI, yet we served in military actions because, when all is said and done, we are loyal, patriotic Americans. I am appalled that people who call themselves ‘Americans’ are attacking and killing other Americans simply because of their hair and skin color. We all need to realize that we must join together, not become divisive. Being an American means that you are of many diverse heritages.”
Childers was reported as being in failing health in recent years. News of his death led administrators at Ernest Childers Middle School in Broken Arrow to observe a moment of silence.
"Oklahoma has lost a genuine hero with the passing of Lt. Col. Ernest Childers," said Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. "His life was and is a true inspiration.”
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Last updated on March 18, 2005