This is a special day we have established to honor our veterans and to remember all of our loved ones who have crossed over to the Spirit World.
Their sacrifices is something we can never forget. Many have given the ultimate sacrifice, their life, while others remain in a world which too often forgets the men and women who were finally able to return home, but who suffer still, from disability and disease and the mind wounds of what they saw, heard and had to do as soldiers.
I have always tried to present as much information as I can, about Veterans and American Indian and First Nations warriors. I hope you will find this year's presentation honorable, educational and a reminder of how American Indians and First Nations men and women have always answered the call to duty.
Information about photos in above slideshow:
Photo 1 - Ft Scott Historical Site and National Cemetery No 1
Also buried in the cemetary were American Indian soldiers of the US Army in the 1860's.
Whether they were scouts or regular troops is not known, but when they were buried,
their Indian names were used on their tombstones. You will find markers with names
like "Deer in Water" and "Stick Out Belly" with place of birth listed as simply:
Indian Territory.
Photo 2 - Billy Walkabout - Crossed over on March 11th 2007 at the age of 57 winters.
A native Cherokee from Oklahoma whose actions in Vietnam made him among most decorated soldiers of the war has died in Connecticut. Billy Walkabout was 57.
Walkabout received the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, five Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars. According to U-S Department of Defense reports, he was believed to be the most decorated Native American soldier of the Vietnam War.
Walkabout was born in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, on March 31st, 1949, and lived much of his life in Oklahoma.
Photo 3 - Lt. Ernest Childers, a Creek, being congratulated by Gen. Jacob L. Devers after receiving the Con- gressional Medal of Honor in Italy for wiping out two machinegun nests.
U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph, July 13, 1944.
American Indian Select List number 191. Public Archives
Photo 4 - Dan Waupoose, a Menomini chief; full-length, kneeling with a rifle and wearing a feathered headdress, Algiers, La. U.S. Navy photograph, August 24, 1943.
American Indian Select List number 192. Public Archives
Photo 5 - Pfc. Ira H. Hayes, a Pima, at age 19, ready to jump, Marine Corps Paratroop School. One of the four Marines in the lwo Jima flag-raising photograph. U.S. Marine Corps photograph, 1943.
American Indian Select List number 193. Public Archives
Photo 6 - Three Marine Corps women reservists, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Left to right: Minnie Spotted Wolf (Blackfoot), Celia Mix (Potawatomi), and Viola Eastman (Chippewa).
U.S. Marine Corps photograph, October 16, 1943.
American Indian Select List number 194. Public Archives
Photo 7 - Lt. Woody J. Cochran holding a Japanese flag, New Guinea. A Cherokee from Oklahoma and a bomber pilot, Lieutenant Cochran earned the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal. April 1, 1943.
American Indian Select List number 190. Public Archives
Photo 8 - Ernest Childers Medal of Honor Recipient Public Archives
Photo 9 - Miner, Cpl. George, a Winnebago from Tomah, Wisconsin; standing, with rifle, on guard duty, Niederahren, Germany. Photographed by Lt. Nathaniel L. Dewell, U.S. Army Signal Corps, January 2, 1919.
American Indian Select List number 109. Public Archives
Photo 10 - American Indian Code Talkers
“If you were a radio operator . . . you didn’t get to carry a rifle. You carried a .45. That way you could handle your radio box.”
—Frank Sanache (Meskwaki), 34th Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Frank Sanache (Meskwaki), Tama, Iowa, 2004
There are also several photos presented of Pearl Harbor as it was attacked on December 7, 1941 and a variety of photos of Vietnam Veterans, the Vietnam Memorial Wall and others.
The following PDF file contains History on American Indians in the Navy. It includes Photographs, Listing of Native American Indian veterans who were awarded medals and a lot of historical information.
In order to read a PDF file, you need Acrobat Reader, which is a free program. You can download it HERE Acrobat Reader 8 - Free
