Choctaw code talkers finally recognized

Choctaw code talkers finally recognized
By Ron Jenkins - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Oct 18, 2008 14:41:33 EDT

OKLAHOMA CITY — Tewanna Edwards remembers her late great-uncle as a gentle old man who fed her raisins and laughed as she grimaced while eating them.

She had no idea as a child that the 6-foot-3 Choctaw Indian was one of the first American Indian code talkers.

He was among 18 original Choctaw code talkers who never lived to see public recognition of their war deeds. Legislation signed by President Bush last week authorizes congressional medals to be issued to the Choctaw Nation and family members.

The law also recognizes members of Oklahoma’s Comanche Tribe and other code talkers of World War II from tribes across the country.

Code talkers is a term given to Indians who used words from their native languages to transmit strategic messages from the American military in the two world wars. Their work is credited with saving hundreds of thousands of lives and shortening both wars.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_ChoctawCodeTalkers_101808/%2e

I'm Choctaw - mom's side.