As we honor our veterans and celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we remember the critical role Indigenous people have played in our military’s success. Native American code talkers served in both World Wars, using their traditional Tribal languages to create unbreakable codes that saved thousands of lives and helped U.S. forces achieve military success.
The first code talkers were Choctaws in World War I, joined by Ho-Chunks, Eastern Cherokees, Comanches, Cheyenne, Yankton Sioux, and Osage. In World War II, the largest code-talking program involved 420 Diné (Navajo) speakers, with contributions from other Tribes including Assiniboine, Cherokee, Chippewa/Oneida, Choctaw, Comanche, Hopi, Kiowa, Menominee, Muskogee/Creek, Pawnee, Sac and Fox, and Sioux (Lakota and Dakota dialects).
These Native American heroes’ bravery and skill were pivotal in many key battles, preserving their Indigenous languages for future generations and earning recognition from state and local governments, the U.S. Congress, and the French government.
Join us in honoring Native American code talkers! Their stories inspire us to strive for excellence and honor our heritage with pride.
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