2018 hopi code talkers recognition day - 380th380th.org/hopi/2018hopicodetalkerpresentation.pdf ·...

2018 HOPI CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION DAY “ITAM ITAA HOPIQATSIY AHOY NAPTOTINI”

“WE, OUR HOPI WAY OF L IFE SHALL BE ACCEPTED BACK…REGAINED”

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS PERRY HONANI SR.

“WUPATAWA” – WATER CLAN – SHUNGOPAVI VILLAGE

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FRANK C. CHAPELLA

“TUUKWAVI” – BEAR CLAN – TEWA VILLAGE

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FLOYD DANN SR.

“LOMAHUY TIWA” – CORN CLAN – MOENCOPI VILLAGE

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WARREN R. KOOYAQUAPTEWA

“SHUUTE” – BEAR CLAN – TEWA VILLAGE

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CHARLES T. LOMAKEMA

“TAWAYAWMA” – BEAR STRAP CLAN – SHUNGOPAVI

VILLAGE

PRIVATE PERCIVAL NAVENMA

“MASAHOYNIWA” – TOBACCO/RABBIT CLAN –

MISHUNGNOVI VILLAGE

SERGEANT REX POOYOUMA

“SEKKUNGYUMTEWA” – CORN CLAN – HOTEVILLA

VILLAGE

TECHNICAL 5 FRANKLIN SHUPLA

“AWIINO” – TOBACCO CLAN – TEWA VILLAGE

PRIVATE ORVILLE WADSWORTH

“DAWAHOYNEWA” – BEAR CLAN – SHUNGOPAVI VILLAGE

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS TRAVIS S. YAIVA

“SIKYAWISTIWA” – BEAR CLAN – BACAVI VILLAGE

GROUP SHOT OF 81ST WILDCAT

MEMBERS

81st Infantry Division – “Wild Cat Division” WW II History

On 15 June 1942, the Hopi Code Talkers were organized at Camp Rucker,

Alabama, and assigned to the 81st Division. The Division moved to various

training areas from 20 April 1943 to 24 June 1944, which included Army

training camps in Tennessee and California. The “Wild Cat Division”

departed San Francisco, California, on 3 July 1944, arriving at the Hawaii

Islands on 8 July 1944.

The Division departed Hawaii on 12 August 1944 in preparation of assault

combat operations on the Pacific Islands of Ulithi Atoll and Ngulu Atoll from

2 September 1944 to 16 October 1944. The Division departed the Palau

Islands on 20 January 1945 and arrived at New Caledonia shortly thereafter.

On 3 May 1945, the unit departed New Caledonia and arrived on Leyte Gulf,

Philippine Islands, on 16 May 1945. Finally the “Wild Cat Division” departed

the Philippines and arrived on the Japanese mainland on 25 September

1945 to conduct occupation operations following the surrender of the

Japanese Empire on 2 September 1945. The 81st Infantry Division was

inactivated on 20 January 1946.

Source: WWII Order of Battle, Stanton.

81st Infantry Division – Hopi Code Talkers Combat Operations

Part I

The initial invasion of Angaur Island (Palau System) by the 321st Regimental

Combat Team (RCT) and 322nd RCT on 17 September 1944 would have

necessitated the use of Hopi Code Talkers. Major General Paul Mueller

used shipboard HQ’s for the first three days of operations. Sensitive

information regarding the landings would have been sent to him using Code

Talkers due to the need for secure real-time actionable intelligence.

The two RCTs did not have an easy time of it at first. The 322nd RCT was hit

with a vicious Japanese counterattack on its left flank on the morning of 18

September. This news required rapid communication to both the Division

and Regimental HQ’s. There is little doubt that the report was transmitted

in the clear using Code Talkers. Furthermore, the situation of the two RCTs

was in doubt for the first three days. The two Regiments had failed to link

up creating a dangerous gap. This is the kind of information that would not

have waited for a coded report.

81st Infantry Division – Hopi Code Talkers Combat Operations

Part 2

Following the 322nd RCT’s mop up of Angaur Island, the III Amphibious

Corps to which the 81st Infantry Division was attached decided to send the

322nd RCT to reinforce the 1st Marine Division at Peleliu. The landing of

troopships and their movement to Peleliu in the middle of a major battle

(Operation Stalemate II) was an extremely risky undertaking. Again, it is a

certainty that Hopi Code Talkers were involved in ship-to-shore

communications during this high risk movement of soldiers.

Evidence suggests that many Hopi Code Talkers served with the 323rd RCT.

They probably did not start with this RCT, but were assigned to the regiment

when it received the assignment to end combat on Peleliu during the final

phases of the campaign. As the 323rd RCT closed a ring around the last

Japanese defenders the perimeter became extremely dangerous to possible

friendly fire. Code Talkers were required to securely convey unit-level

tactical information rapidly in order to avoid friendly fire casualties. In

conclusion – Hopi Code Talkers saved lives.

Source: Dr. John A. Boyd. Command Historian, 81st Regional Support Command

ASSAULT ON ANGAUR – MAP OF OPERATION

HOPI CODE TALKERS – UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE

In September 2010, Rex Pooyouma was identified as a ninth Hopi Code Talker who

was assigned to the 380th Bombardment Group. Later in October 2010, Orville

Wadsworth was also identified as a tenth Hopi Code Talker who was assigned to the

90th Bombardment Group. Both Hopis were selected and trained as part of a secret

Native American Code Talker communications network that included Crow, Sioux,

Acoma, Laguna, Apache, and Chippewa to transmit secret coded messages using

their native language in the Pacific campaign with the Fifth Bomber Command, Fifth

Air Force, United States Army Air Force.

The Fifth Bomber Command’s unique selective group of Hopi Code Talkers and the

other Native American Code Talker’s heroic actions are credited by the United States

Army in saving the lives of numerous soldiers by using their native languages to

communicate secret-coded messages in combat which contributed to the final

victory in the Pacific and eventually to the successful end of World War II.

This recent historical discovery will add to the military history of the United States

Army Air Force and to the legacy of the mighty Fifth Air Force during its World War II

combat operations.

Source: Hopi Veterans Services, The Hopi Tribe, 2011

HOPI CODE TALKERS UNITS

UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AIR FORCE

FIFTH BOMBER COMMAND

90TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP

“The Jolly Rogers”

380TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP

“The Flying Circus”

• March 28, 2007, Hopi Tribal Resolution H-39-2007: The Hopi Tribe formally recognizes and honors eight Hopi Code Talker’s World War II contributions assigned to the 323 rd Infantry “Wild Cat” Division.

• October 15, 2008, 110 th Congress passed Public Law 11-420, to require the issuance of medals to recognize the dedication and valor of Native American Code Talkers.

• December 19, 2008, Hopi Tribal Resolution H-004-2008: The Hopi Tribe formally advocates for gold medals be awarded to Hopi Code Talkers by the United States government.

HOPI CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION

TRIBAL, STATE AND NATIONAL

September 9, 2009, Hopi Tribal Resolution H-087-2009: The Hopi Tribe awards funding to purchase bronze plaque to be dedicated to Hopi Code Talkers.

November 11, 2009, Hopi Code Talker bronze plaque formally dedicated during Veterans Day event.

January 11, 2011, Hopi Tribal Resolution H-024-2011: The Hopi Tribe recognizes and honors Rex Pooyouma and Orville Wadsworth, as ninth and tenth Hopi Code Talkers, respectively, who were assigned to the Fifth Air Force, US Army Air Force, during World War II.



January 18, 2011, Senator Jack Jackson Jr., Arizona

Legislative, District 2, introduces Arizona Senate

Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1009, “Honoring Hopi Code

Talkers” during joint Arizona Legislative Session and

“Indian Nation and Tribes Legislation Day” .

April 12, 2011, SCR 1009, unanimously passes the

Arizona House of Representatives, 59 – 0. Resolution sent

to Arizona Secretary of State for review and signature.

May 23, 2011, “Honoring Arizona’s Hopi Code Talkers

Ceremony”, formal signing of SCR 1009 by Secretary of

State Ken Bennett at the Hopi Veterans Memorial Center.



March 21, 2012, Hopi Tribal Council passes tribal resolution H-041-2012, establishes April 23 rd of each year as “Hopi Code Talkers Recognition Day”.

April 23, 2012, Office of the Vice Chairman, The Hopi Tribe, sponsors inaugural Hopi Code Talkers Recognition Day event at the Hopi Veterans Memorial Center.

November 20, 2013, United States Congressional Gold Medal bestowed to Hopi Tribe and Silver Medals presented to the next-of-kin of surviving Hopi Code Talker family members at U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

HOPI CODE TALKER RECOGNITION


SENATOR JACK JACKSON JR. AND HOPI CODE TALKER

FAMILIES

INDIAN NATION AND TRIBES LEGISLATION DAY

ARIZONA STATE CAPITOL – JANUARY 18, 2011

AZ SEN. JACK JACKSON, HOPI VICE CHAIRMAN HERMAN

HONANIE, AZ SECRETARY OF STATE KEN BENNETT AND JOHN

DUDAS, AZ DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES, “HONORING

ARIZONA’S HOPI CODE TALKERS” CEREMONY ON MAY 23, 2011 .

CHAIRMAN LEROY SHINGOITEWA, THE HOPI TRIBE, ACCEPTING

CONGRESSIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKER GOLD MEDAL

ON BEHALF OF THE HOPI CODE TALKERS AT U.S. CAPITOL ON

NOVEMBER 20, 2013.

FAMILY MEMBERS OF HOPI CODE TALKERS GETTING READY TO

RECEIVE THE CONGRESSIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKER

SILVER MEDALS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN

INDIAN.

The Hopi Tribe recognizes and honors the military

accomplishments of Native American Code Talkers who served

during World War I and II .

At least 6 dif ferent Tribes had members who served as Code

Talkers in World War I. At least 17 different Tribes had

members who also served as Code Talkers in World War II, in

addition to the Navajo Tribe.

The type of Code Talking was based on two types of coded

messages. Type 1, which was a formal developed special coded-

encoded vocabulary in Native American languages. Type 2 was

informal use of everyday non-coded Native American languages.

These Tribes included:

NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS

World War I

Cherokee – Type 2 Cheyenne – Type 2

Choctaw – Type 1 Comanche – Type 2

Osage – Type 2 Yankton Sioux – Type 2


World War II

Assiniboine – Type 2 Canadian Cree – Type 2

Cherokee – Type 2 Chippewa/Oneida – Type 2

Choctaw – Type 2 Comanche – Type 1

Crow – Type 2 Hopi – Type 1

Kaw (Kansa) – Type 2 Kiowa – Type 2

Menominee – Type 2 Meskwaki (Sac & Fox) – Type 1

Muscogee/Creek Type 2 Seminole – Type 2

Navajo – Type 1 Pawnee – Type 2

Sioux – Type 2


Acoma, Apache, Laguna, Mississuaga and Tlingit were known to have used their Native language during World War II .

References:

1 . Deputy Secretary of Defense letter, dated July 8, 2010, in reference to Code Talker Recognition Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-420), listing Individual Code Talkers by Tribal Affiliation.

2. Information prepared by the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs, dated February 2007.

3. American Indian Culture & Research Journal: Honoring Native American Code Talkers: The Road to the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008. Dr. William C. Meadows. September 2011.


Despite their legal status, many Native Americans without US citizenship enlisted in the United States military in 1917. By the end of the war approximately 13,500 Native Americans had served in the American Expeditionary Force. Native Americans had the highest enlistment percentage of all ethnic American groups.

The American Military first enlisted Native Americans to relay messages during World War I. In a 1918 Army report, Colonel A.W. Bloor commanding the 142nd Infantry, 36 Division, reported that he had used Choctaw Indians on several assaults and that it was successful.


The United States military, based on the success of the Choctaw and other use of native languages in World War I called upon the Comanche’s in 1940 to begin more formal training in the Army’s Signal Corps.

At least 17 different Tribes/Nations utilized their native language during World War II in every major campaign and in both Pacific and European theaters.

In 1989, the French Government honored the Comanche Code Talkers by presenting them the “Chevalier of the National Order of Merit”, the highest honor the France can bestow.


On June 18, 2002, US Congress passed the Code Talkers Recognition Act (HR 3250) that formally recognized the contributions of the Comanche and Sioux Code Talkers during World War II .

In July 2005, US Congress passed HR 3466, known as the Meskwaki (Sac & Fox) Code Talkers Recognition Act which formally recognized their service to the United States.

In 2001, President Bush presented four of the five living Navajo Code Talkers and relatives of 24 others the “Congressional Gold Medal” .

On November 20, 2013, United States Government officially honors and bestows Congressional Native American Code Talkers Gold Medals to over 30 Tribes at nations capitol.

Reference: Information p repared by the Ar izona Commiss ion o f Ind ian A f fa ir s – Februar y 2007 and Hopi Veterans Ser v ices , March 2015.


Acoma Pueblo– World War II Kiowa – World War II

Apache – World War II Meskwaki – World War II

Assiniboine – World War II Mohawk – World War II

Cherokee – World War I Muskogee – World War II

Chippewa Cree – World War II Oneida – World War II

Choctaw – World War I and II Pawnee – World War II

Comanche – World War I and II Ponca – World War II

Muskogee Creek – World War II Seminole – World War II

Crow – World War II Sioux – World War I & II

Hopi – World War II Tlingit – World War II

Laguna Pueblo – World War II

TRIBES TO RECEIVE CODE TALKERS

RECOGNITION MEDALS IN 2013

FLOYD DANN, SR.

HOPI CODE TALKER – WORLD WAR II

WE OWE OUR FREEDOMS AND

PROTECTION OF OUR HOPI WAY OF LIFE

TO THE COURAGEOUS HOPI CODE

TALKERS AND ALL NATIVE AMERICAN

CODE TALKERS WHO DEFENDED OUR

TRIBAL HOMELANDS AND OUR

COUNTRY DURING WORLD WAR ONE

AND WORLD WAR TWO.

KWA’KWAY, ASQUALI, GUNDA AND

THANK YOU!

2018 hopi code talkers recognition day - 380th380th.org/hopi/2018hopicodetalkerpresentation.pdf ·...

Documents