Archives from: United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1946.
Available also at the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, ‘Indians in the war: burial of a brave’ (1946). World War Regimental Histories. 134. Link to the website: http://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/134

A Native American Plains Lakota Sioux Swept Back Eagle Feather War BonnetRepublished in 2025, in Grateful Memory of those who died in the service of their country. They stand in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die. That freedom might live, and grow, and increase it’s blessings. Freedom lives, and though it they live – in a way that humbles the undertaking of most men.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The material in this archive was collected for the 1945 Memorial Number of Indians at Work, before the magazine was discontinued because of the paper shortage. Many devoted workers-spent much time and effort to get these stories, and the photographs which accompany the lists were loaned by the families of the boys whose names will be found here. We wish to express our gratitude to all of those who made this record possible.

The casualty lists and the lists of awards and decorations continue those begun in Indians at Work for May-June 1943 and carried on in the November-December 1943, May-June 1944, and September October 1944 issues. They are not complete, and it is hoped that when the peace has come, whole story of the Indian contribution to the victory may be gathered up into one volume.

Awards of the Purple Heart have not been indicated here because every soldier wounded in action against the enemy is entitled to the decoration, and the award should be taken for granted.

November 1945
United States Department of the Interior
Office of the Indian Affairs
Chicago 54, Illinois

Cpl Henry Bake Jr (left) and Pfc George H. Kirk, Navajo Indians serving with a US Marine Signal Unit, operate a portable radio set in a clearing they've just hacked in the dense jungle close behind the front lines (Note the Reising Model 55 with wire stock folded)

EUCMH Separation for added information

Reising M-55

The Reising submachine gun was designed by American Eugene Reising and patented in 1940. Production of the new submachine gun commenced in 1941 at Harrington & Richardson (H&R) arms factory. In 1942, US Marine Corps signed first contract for delivery of Reising M-50 submachine guns, and several tents of thousands of Reising M-50 SMG’s were delivered to USMC during the war. It must be noted that USMC weapons were slightly different in appearance from original version, having different trigger guard, larger takedown screw head, and other minor changes. Similar weapons were sold to various US agencies to guard military facilities and other important locations in USA. For USMC paratroopers and tankers H&R produced a folding-stock version, known as Reising M-55. H&R also produced a semi-automatic only version of the M-50, known as M-60, which was used for training and guard purposes. The least known version is the Reising M-65, a training semi-automatic weapon chambered for .22LR ammunition. It must be noted that US Marines generally disliked the Reising gun for its poor reliability, especially when gun was fouled or dirty. However, it was quite accurate and sufficiently reliable in urban conditions, so many Reising submachine guns were used by various US Police departments through several post-war decades.

Reising M-50 submachine gun is delayed blowback operated, selective fired weapon. It fired from closed bolt and has a separate striker (non-pivoting, sliding hammer) which hit the firing pin when gun was discharged. The delay for opening movement of the bolt was provided by displacing its rear upper edge from the recesses, made on the inside of the receiver. The fire mode selector was located at the right side of the receiver, in front of the rear sight. Charging handle was unusually located in the slot, formed on the underside of the stock, in front of the magazine. To cock the gun, shooter must insert his finger into the slot and pull the cocking handle back, and then release it. Feed was from box magazines; standard magazine capacity was 20 rounds, with cartridges held in double stack and with single position feed. For training purposes, H&R also produced 12-round single stack magazines. Currently, aftermarket 30-round magazines are available for all .45 caliber Reising weapons. Sights included front post and a diopter rear, adjustable from 50 to 300 yards range. Original M-50 submachine guns featured an one-piece wooden stock and a muzzle flip compensator. Paratrooper and tanker Reising M-55 guns had wooden stocks with pistol grip and side-folding stocks made from steel wire, and no muzzle compensators. Both types of submachine gun featured partially finned barrels. Semi-automatic only Resing M-60 carbines featured longer barrels with no fins. (Source: https://modernfirearms.net)

EUCMH Separation for added information

HONOR FOR INDIAN HEROISM

The war has ended in victory for the United Nations, and after a troubled period of readjustment and reorganization, peace will come at last. The story of the Indians’ contribution to the winning of the war has been told only in part; and new material will be coming in for many months. As one of the Sioux boys says, ‘As a rule nowadays the fellows don’t go in for heroics’. But already the Indian record is impressive. In the spring of 1945, there were 21.767 Indians in the Army, 1910 in the Navy, 121 in the Coast Guard, and 723 in the Marines. These figures do not include officers, for whom no statistics are available. Several hundred Indian women are in the various branches of the services. The Standing Rock Agency, North Dakota, estimates that at least fifty girls from that jurisdiction are in uniform.

The Office of Indian Affairs has recorded 71 awards of the Air Medal, 51 of the Silver Star, 47 of the Bronze Star, 34 of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two of the Congressional Medal of Honor. There are undoubtedly many more which have not been reported. Many of these ribbons are decorated with oak leaf clusters awarded in lieu of additional medals. It is not unusual to see an Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, or twelve, or even fourteen.

Dave Cummings (Muscogee-Creek) Fort Devens, 1942. Courtesy of the 45th Infantry Division Museum

The casualty lists are long. They come from theatres of war all over the world. There were many Indians in the prison camps of the Philippines after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, and later there were many more on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. There were Indians in the 45-ID in Sicily and Italy. They were at Anzio, and they took part in the invasion on D-Day in Normandy. A Ute Indian, LeRoy Hamlin, was with a small troop which made the first contact with the Russians across the Elbe River on April 25, 1945. Another Ute, Harvey Natchees, was the first American soldier to ride into the center of Berlin. Pfc Ira Hayes, Pima of the Marines, was one of the six men who raised the flag on the summit of Mount Suribachion Iwo Jima. Once in a while, an Indian diving into a foxhole when shells began to burst, would find himself face to face with another member of his race, and they would start talking about Indian problems as they waited for the enemy fire to cease. When there was only one Indian in an outfit, he was inevitably called Chief, which amused him and perhaps pleased him a little.

The Indian people at home have matched the record of their fighting men. More than forty thousand left the reservations during each of the war years to take jobs in ordnance depots, in aircraft factories, on the railroads, and in other war industries. The older men, the women and the children, who stayed at home, increased their production of food in spite of the lack of help. The Indians invested more than $17.000.000 of restricted funds in war bonds, and their individual purchases probably amount to twice that sum. They subscribed liberally to the Red Cross and to the Army and Navy Relief societies. The mothers of the soldiers organized War Mothers clubs in their communities, and every soldier received letters and gifts while he was in the service. The clubs helped to entertain the boys who came home on furlough, and now that the war is over, they are making plans for memorials in honor of the fallen.

Reflecting the heroic spirit of Indians at war in every theater of action, the list of those specially selected to receive military honors grows steadily. We shall never know of all the courageous acts performed ‘With utter disregard for personal safety’‘, but the proved devotion of all Indian peoples on the home front and the conspicuous courage of their sons and daughters in the various services entitle them to share in common the honors bestowed upon the few here noted.

Congressional Medal of Honor

CMOHThe blue star-sprinkled ribbon of the highest award of all is given for ‘conspicuous gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty‘. Relatively few of these medals have been given, and the nation may well be proud of the fact that two Indians thus far have won it. The story of Lt Ernest Childers, Creek, was told in Indians at Work for May-June 1944; that of Lt Jack Montgomery, Cherokee, in the January-February number, 1945.

DFCDistinguished Flying Cross

The highest aviation honor is given for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The ribbon is blue, with a white-bordered red stripe in the center and white stripes near the ends. Thirty or more Indians have been awarded this medal thus far, and their stories have been told in various issues of Indians at Work. Mention has already been made of Lt William R. Fredenberg, Menominee, of Wisconsin, who wears this ribbon and also has the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters.

The citation for the DFC reads as follows: ‘“Lieutenant Fredenberg demonstrated superior skill in the execution of a dive-bombing attack upon a heavily defended marshalling yard wherein he personally destroyed three locomotives and thereafter in the face of heavy and accurate enemy fire remained in the target area strafing installations until his ammunition was exhausted. The outstanding flying ability and tactical proficiency which he exhibited on this occasion reflected the highest credit upon himself and his organization‘. Sgt Shuman Shaw, a full-blood Paiute from California, was wounded on his third mission as a tail-gunner on a B-24 Liberator, but he stayed with his guns and shot down two of the enemy, with three more probably destroyed. During his 22nd mission, while raiding strategic installations at Budapest, he was again seriously wounded. On both occasions he was given plasma. Sgt Shaw has the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster.

AMAir Medal

Harold E. Rogers, Seneca from Miami, Oklahoma, was reported missing in action on July 3, 1944, when his plane failed to return from a mission over Budapest. Sgt Rogers had flown 25 missions with the 8-USAAF in England, and then served as instructor in the USA for six months. He went back into action, this time with the 15-USAAF, based in Italy. He wore the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Purple Heart was awarded to him posthumously. His wife, a Potawatomi from Kansas, who now lives in Hollywood, was a student at Haskell Institute with her husband, and Sgt Rogers was studying law at the time he entered the service. He also attended Sherman Institute and Riverside Junior College.

SSM

Silver Star to a Young Artist

A soldier who is cited for gallantry in action, when that gallantry does not warrant the award of a Medal of Honor or a Distinguished Service Cross, is given the Silver Star. This decoration was awarded posthumously to Ben Quintanar a Keres from Cochiti Pueblo. According to the citation, Ben was ‘an ammunition carrier in a light machine gun squadron charged with protection of the right flank of his troop which was counterattacked by superior number‘. The gunner was killed and the assistant gunner severely wounded. ‘Pvt Quintana‘, the citation continues, ‘refused to retire from this hazardous position and gallantly rushed forward to the silenced gun and delivered a withering fire into the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. While so engaged he was mortally wounded. By this extraordinary courage he repulsed the counterattack and prevented the envelopment of the right flank of his troop. Pvt Quintana’s unflinching devotion to duty and heroism under fire inspired his troop to attack and seize the enemy strong point‘.

With Ben Quintana’s death the country has lost one of its most promising young artists. At the age of 15, he won first prize over 80 contestants, of whom 7 were Indians, for a poster to be used in the Coronado Cuarto Centennial celebration. Later, he won first prize and $1000 in an American Magazine contest in which there were 52.587 entries.

Silver Star to Sherman Graduate

Capt Leonard Lowry, a graduate of Sherman Instituter also wears the Silver Star. He was a first lieutenant at the time of the citation which says: ‘He was advancing with an infantry force of about 500 men when they were halted by the enemy and the leading elements were pinned down. It was imperative that this force get through. Lt Lowry assumed command and directed temporary security measures. He then organized a small combat patrol and personally led it in storming the enemy elements that were delaying the unit’s advance‘. Capt Lowry has been wounded several times.

BSMLed the Way for the Tank

The Shoshones proudly claim Marine Pfc Leonard A. Webber, of Fort Hall (Idaho), who received his Silver Star for gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the 2nd Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa (Gilbert Islands), from November 22 to November 23, 1943. During this period, when radio communication was out, he performed duties as runner between the tank battalion command post, tanks, and infantry front line positions, with utter disregard for his own personal safety in the face of heavy enemy gunfire. His skill and devotion to duty contributed greatly to the maintaining of communication of tank units. His conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity were in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.

Later, for action in 1944, Leonard Webber now a Corporal, received the Bronze Star. This decoration is awarded for meritorious or heroic achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States. The citation for the Bronze Star reads: ‘For meritorious achievement in action against the enemy on Saipan & Tinian (Marianas Islands), from June 15 to August 1, 1944, while serving as a reconnaissance man in a Marine tank battalion. With aggressive determination and fearless devotion to duty Cpl Webber reconnoitered routes of advance for tanks in the face of intense enemy fire. On one occasion, he led a tank platoon over exceedingly dangerous and perilous terrain, while under heavy mortar and small-arms fire, to support the infantry advance and make it possible for his tank platoon to inflict severe casualties on the enemy. His cool courage and outstanding ability contributed in a large measure to the success of the tank operation. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Naval Service‘.

Silver Star for a Cherokee

The mother and father of Pvt Blaine Queen received the Silver Star posthumously awarded to their son for heroism in action in Germany. Pvt Queen, a Cherokee from North Carolina, was with a platoon engaged in sharp action with the enemy. They were under heavy fire from nearby enemy positions, and when their ammunition began to run dangerously low, Pvt Queen volunteered to leave his foxhole and go for the needed supplies. As he ran he was mortally wounded, but in spite of his wound he kept on toward his destination until death overtook him.

3-A soldiers guard Nazi prisoners in the public square at Kaiserslautern, Germany March 21 1945

A Potawatomi Leads the Way

Pfc Albert Wahweotten, Potawatomi from Kansas, received the Silver Star from his commanding general last February in Germany. According to the citation, Pfc Wahweotten, armed with an M-1 rifle and a bazooka, worked his way 200 yards beyond the front lines to a house occupied by the enemy. In spite of heavy fire, he crawled to within ten yards of the house, which he set on fire with the bazooka. Then he went into the burning building and captured twelve Germans, eliminating the last enemy resistance in the town.

Initiative, Bravery, and Gallantry

An Iowa-Choctaw, also from Kansas, was another winner of the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the Germans. When his superior officer was disabled, Pfc Thurman E. Nanomantube took over the duties of section leader of a heavy machine gun section, and with complete disregard for his own safety ran across fifty yards of open ground, swept by heavy fire, in order to help a gunner whose gun was not working properly. When the battalion was pinned down by artillery fire, he gave first aid to two wounded men and handled another skillfully in order to keep him from becoming the victim of combat exhaustion. The citation praises Pfc Nanomantube for his initiative, bravery, and gallantry.

Reising M-60 & M-50

During fighting on the island of Bougainville in the Pacific in 1943, a Navajo code talker holds a Reising submachine gun at left. The Reising performed poorly during World War II and was generally loathed by those who were issued the weapon

Decoration for a Papago

An engineers outfit, in combat for 165 continuous days on Luzon, needed the bulldozer which Pfc Norris L. Galvez, Papago of Sells (Arizona), was driving up the road. Pfc Norris was told that the Japs had two automatic weapons firing across the road ahead, but he decided that the bulldozer must go through and unhesitatingly drove the unprotected machine through the field of fire, an action which brought him a citation and the Silver Star.

Hero’s Son Receives Medal

Alec Hodge is only six years old, but he knows what war means. He knows, too, the pride with which soldiers receive their medals, for on Alec’s small chest was recently pinned the Bronze Star posthumously awarded to his father, Pfc Otto Hodge, a Yurok-Hoopa, who was killed in action in Italy. The youngster stood straight, as befits the son of a warrior, and listened to the words of the citation: ‘For heroic achievement in action against the enemy from September 10 to September 23, 1944‘. Then he solemnly shook the proffered hand of Brig Gen Oscar B. Abbott, who made the award. The ceremony was held at the Arcata Naval Auxiliary Air Station near Eureka (California), on April 6, 1945. Alec has two uncles in the service. One, Fireman Henry Hodge, is on sea duty in the South Pacific, while the other, Pvt James Hodge, is serving in Europe. Both uncles are graduates of Sherman Institute and are the sons of Mrs Carrie Hodge of Trinidad (California).

Ordeal by Fire

The citation accompanying the Bronze Star Medal awarded to Pvt Houston Stevens, Kickapoo from Shawnee (Oklahoma), reads: ‘For heroic achievement near St Raphael (France), on August 15, 1944. Struck by an aerial bomb as it neared shore during the invasion of Southern France, LST-282 was burning fiercely and ammunition aboard was exploding continuously. Unmindful of the intense heat and the exploding ammunition, Pvt Stevens manned a 50-caliber machine gun located within ten yards of the explosion. Though his hair and eyebrows were singed by the spreading flames, he remained at his post and continued to fire the gun at the enemy plane. By his devotion to duty, Pvt Stevens prevented additional damage by the plane. His action reflects credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States‘.

Downed ME-109

With the Famous Ivy Leaf

Presidential Unit CitationSoldier MedalSgt Perry Skenandore, Oneida from Wisconsin, wears two rows of ribbons, as well as the blue bar for the Presidential Unit Citation. He has been awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, and the Soldier’S Medal. His European theater ribbon carries three battle stars and the bronze arrow which stands for the invasion of Normandy. Sgt Skenandore is a US 4-IDmember of the 4-ID (Ivy Leaf), a fighting outfit which is described by a Stars and Stripes correspondent as follows: ‘After 199 days, ending March 9, in continuous contact with the German army, the 4-ID closed a chapter that carried it through some of the most famous battles of the present war. Starting on August 24 with the headlong rush into Paris, which they liberated the next day, the 4-ID’s men never lost sight of the grey-uniformed Wehrmacht until they had it on the run towards the Rhine River. Included in the nearly seven months of grinding up Nazi hordes were the mad dash across Northern France and Belgium; the liberation of such towns as Chauny, St Quentin, St Hubert, Bastogne, and St Vith‘. The doughs never stopped their eastward drive until they had bowled through the Siegfried Line. The 4-ID was the first unit to enter German soil on September 11, 1944. History has recorded their successful but bloody Battle of the Huertgen Forest and their magnificent stand before the city of Luxembourg in those dark days of December, when, according to Gen George Patton, ‘a tired division halted the left shoulder of the German thrust into the American lines and saved the city of Luxembourg‘.

Two men (4-ID) (4-Sig Co) during the Battle of the Bulge

From this action the Ivy Leaf Division went over to the offensive, crossing the Sure River and eating into the bulge the enemy had built up. Switching to the St Vith sector, they fought their way through the Siegfried Line in exactly the same place where they had pushed through in September. This made four times they had passed through the maze of steel and concrete that was once considered almost impregnable‘. Sgt Skenandore has a good deal to tell about his division and its accomplishments against the Nazis, but little information about himself. The ribbons he wears, however, speak for him.

Held the Lines

The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to Cpl Calvin Flying Bye, Sioux, of Little Eagle (South Dakota), ‘for heroic achievement in Germany on November 29 and 30, 1944, during these two days, when his division attacked a fortified enemy town, communication lines between the forward observer and his battalion were severed. In spite of heavy enemy fire which was falling not more than 15 yards from him, he checked the lines and constantly maintained them without getting any sleep for 48 hours. His courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service‘.

An Alaskan Scores

Pfc Herbert Bremner, Tlingit, of Yakutat (Alaska), has been given the Bronze Star for heroic action in Holland: ‘While the Anti-Tank Platoon which was supporting the assault battalion was moving its weapons forward to engage four enemy tanks which were holding up the progress of the battalion, two of the prime movers were damaged by intense mortar and machine gun fire, and it was necessary to repair them before they could be used to move the weapons into position. Without regard for his personal safety, (then) Pvt Bremner manned the machine gun, which was in an exposed position on top of one of the vehicles. His determined, accurate fire forced the enemy tanks to withdraws, thus permitting the battalion to advance to its objective. The high standard of courage of Pvt Bremner was a large factor in enabling the battalion to gain its objective and is a distinct credit to this soldier and the military service‘.

Map of the Indians Nations

Inspired His Comrades

Marion W. McKeever, Flathead, from Montana, was awarded the Bronze Star posthumously ‘for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy at Bougainville (Solomon Islands), on March 10, 1944. During a counterattack to destroy the enemy forces, when his platoon made an advance against enemy positions, Pvt McKeever moved up aggressively to engage the enemy. Moving up as far as possible he crossed a machine gun lane and the enemy opened fire, killing him instantly. Because of his daring movement in spite of the heavy fire, he was one of the most forward men of the platoon. His action was cool and brave and was an inspiration to all who served with him‘.

BS MedalBronze Star for an Infantryman

A posthumous award of the Bronze Star Medal was made to Cpl Jack E. Mattz, Yurok-Smith River Indian from Grants Pass (Oregon). During an assault on enemy lines in Holland, Cpl Mattz crept forward toward a dugout containing a large number of the enemy, killed several of them with his sub-machine gun, and when his ammunition ran out, accounted for the rest by using hand grenades. A few hours later he was killed by shell fire.

PH MedalSaved by Partisans

Two Indian gunners with the 15-USAAF based in Italy, had similar stories to tell of parachute jumps in Balkan Territory. S/Sgt. Cornelius Wakolee, Potawatomi, from Kansas, was forced to bail out over Yugoslavia when his Liberator bomber was hit by heavy flak. He was reported missing on October 14, and returned to duty some six weeks later, after a long walk, guided across enemy-held territory by Yugoslav partisans. Some months afterward, T/Sgt Ray Gonyea, from the Onondaga Reservation (New York), made a similar jump and landed in a village held by the partisans, who helped him and his crew back to their base after an hilarious celebration. Sgt Gonyea holds the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Purple Heart. Sgt Wakolee has three clusters to the Air Medal.

Purple Heart, Four Cluster

Danny B. Marshall, Creek, from Holdenville (Oklahoma), has evaded death dozens of times and has been wounded eight times. Five of his wounds required hospital treatment, but the other three times he had first aid and did not report at a hospital. He has been hit in the face, head, arms, leg, and back, and has the Purple Heart with four clusters, the CIBBronze Star, the Good Conduct medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and five battle stars for service in Italy, including the Anzio Beachhead and Rome, and the invasion of Southern France.

A Submarine Veteran

The greatest thrill of all‘, said John Redday, Sioux, from South Dakota, ‘was to pass through the Golden Gate and set foot again on American soil‘. This remark was made after 21 months’ service in a submarine patrolling South Pacific waters. During this time the sub sank fourteen and damaged seven enemy vessels. Among them was one of Japan’s largest freighters, which was destroyed by gunfire alone. The thrills and dangers of submarine warfare were many, according to Redday. Once a sub-chaser, disguised as a transport, discovered them while they were surfaced, and depth charges fell all around them before they could submerge. The charges were so terrific that the overhead motors were sheared off. Another time an enemy destroyer caught their Prop Guard with a grappling iron and pulled them forty feet toward the surface before they could get away. In escaping they dived far below normal depth and the pressure was so great that water leaked in from all sides. Redday was transferred to the Veterans’ Hospital at Minneapolis a year ago because of tuberculosis, and is slowly improving in the free air of his homeland.

CMOH-Creek-Native

A Navajo Fights on Two Fronts

99-IDDragging one wounded soldier, helping support another, his own back and legs torn by shrapnel, a twenty-year-old Navajo made his way across three hundred yards of knee-deep snow. Safe in his own lines again, he did not bother to go to the aid station. This is only one of the stories told about Sgt Clifford Etsitty, a star patrol scout of the Western Front. Another time he was within 30 yards of the enemy when a machine gun opened up on his patrol. ‘The Chief, as he is known in the Army, flattened out and with six shots finished the half-dozen Nazis who barred his way. Etsitty received his first Purple Heart on Attu, where he killed 40 Japs in 20 days. This was night ambush detail. Clad in white snow suits, the soldiers lay in wait for enemies and picked them off as they approached. The cold, dangerous work ended when a bursting mortar shell smashed the Navajo’s jaw and sent him to the hospital for seven months. As soon as he was discharged, he was sent to the 99-ID and continued his remarkable career on the German Front.

Foresight and Sound Decision

US 3AThe Bronze Star has also been received by S/Sgt David E. Kenote, Wisconsin Menominee, ‘for meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States, in France, from August 1, 1944 to October 30, 1944. Sgt Kenote inaugurated a system of stock records and a procedure for requisitioning which enabled the Adjutant General, US 3-A, successfully to supply and distribute War Department publications and blank forms to 3-A troops. The foresight of this non-commissioned officer, and his careful planning and energetic execution achieved continuous supply during all phases of a rapidly moving operation. His plans were simple and workable, and his decisions were sound. The zealous devotion to duty of Sgt Kenote reflects great credit upon himself and the military forces of the United States‘.

MacArthur & Navajos

(above) Gen Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area during an inspection trip of American battle fronts, met representatives of five different American Indian tribes in one US Army unit. (Left to Right) S/Sgt Virgil Brown, Pima, Phoenix (Arizona); 1/Sgt Virgil F. Howell, Pawnee, of Pawnee (Oklahoma); S/Sgt Alvin J. Vilcan, Chitmatcha, of Charenton (Louisiana); Gen Doug MacArthur; Sgt Byron L. Tsignine, Navajo, of Fort Defiance (Arizona); Sgt Larry L. Dekin, Navajo, of Copper Mine (Arizona).



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