[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 58 (Thursday, May 9, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE:
  S. 2491. A bill to authorize the President to award a gold medal on 
behalf of Congress to the Choctaw and Comanche code talkers in 
recognition of the contributions provided by those individuals to the 
United States; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce a bill to honor 
a group of men who bravely served this country. I am proud to recognize 
the Choctaw and Comanche Code Talkers who joined the United States 
Armed Forces on foreign soil in the fight for freedom in two world 
wars.
  During World War I, the Germans began tapping American lines, 
creating the need to provide secure communications. Despite the fact 
that American Indians were not citizens, 18 members of the Choctaw 
Nation enlisted to become the first American Indian soldiers to use 
their native language to transmit messages between the Allied forces.
  At least one Choctaw man was placed in each field company 
headquarters. He would translate radio messages into the Choctaw 
language and then write field orders to be carried by messengers 
between different companies on the battle line. Fortunately, because 
Choctaw was an unwritten language only understood by those who spoke 
it, the Germans were never able to break the code.
  The 18 Choctaw Code Talkers who served in the 142nd Infantry Company 
of the 36th Division were: Albert Billy, Victor Brown, Mitchell Bobb, 
Ben Carterby, George Davenport, Joe Davenport, James Edwards, Tobias 
Frazier, Ben Hampton, Noel Johnson, Otis Leader, Soloman Louis, Pete 
Maytubby, Jeff Nelson, Joseph Oklahombi, Robert Taylor, Walter Veach, 
and Calvin Wilson.
  Similarly, the Comanche Code Talkers played an important role during 
World War II. Once again, the enemy began tapping American lines. In 
order to establish the secure transmission of messages, the United 
States enlisted fourteen Comanche Code Talkers who served overseas in 
the 4th Signal Company of the 4th Infantry Division. They were: Charles 
Chibitty, Haddon Codynah, Robert Holder, Forrest Kassanavoid, 
Wellington Mihecoby, Albert Nahquaddy, Jr., Clifford Ototivo, Simmons 
Parker, Melvin Permansu, Elgin Red Elk, Roderick Red Elk, Larry 
Saupitty, Morris Tabbyetchy, and Willis Yackeshi.
  The Army chose the Comanches because their language was thought to be 
the least known to the Germans. Second Lieutenant Hugh Foster worked 
with them to develop their own unique code for military words. He gave 
the Indians a list of military words and then worked with them to 
develop a Comanche word or phrase for those words.
  On June 6, 1944, just after landing in Normandy, a Comanche trained 
by Lt. Foster and serving as a driver and radio operator under 
Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr, sent one of the first 
messages from Utah Beach. These communications efforts, by the 
Comanches, helped the Allies win the war in Europe.
  It is time Congress officially recognizes these men. My bill directs 
the Secretary of the Treasury to award the Choctaw and Comanche Code 
Talkers a gold medal as a result of their great commitment and service 
on behalf of the United States during World Wars I and II. I welcome my 
colleagues to join me in saluting this group of heroes for contributing 
to the fight for freedom for our country and around the world.
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