[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 74 (Monday, May 19, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S6617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNITION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CODE TALKERS

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, throughout the military history of the 
United States, Native Americans have served their country above and 
beyond the call of duty. Although they have served in many capacities, 
perhaps none has been more valuable than the services they have 
provided as code talkers. Today, I rise to support and cosponsor S. 
540, a bill to authorize the presentation of gold medals on behalf of 
Congress to Native Americans who served as code talkers during foreign 
conflicts.
  During World War II, the Sioux Indians volunteered their native 
languages, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota Sioux, as codes. The Sioux code 
talkers worked tirelessly around the clock to provide information, such 
as the location of enemy troops and the number of enemy guns, which 
saved the lives of many Americans in war theaters in the Pacific and 
Europe. U.S. military commanders credit the Sioux with saving the lives 
of countless American soldiers and with being instrumental to the 
success of the United States in many battles during the war.
  Today I would like to acknowledge the following distinguished 
gentlemen: Eddie Eagle Boy, Simon Brokenleg, Iver Crow Eagle Sr., 
Edmund St. John, Walter C. John Bear King, Phillip ``Stoney'' LaBlanc, 
Baptiste Pumpkinseed, Guy Rondell, Charles Whitepipe, and Clarence 
Wolfguts.
  During the D-Day invasion and afterwards in the European theater, the 
4th Signal Division employed Comanche code talkers to help the Army 
develop a code, which proved to be unbreakable by the Axis powers, and 
which was used extensively throughout Europe. This code was 
instrumental to winning the war in Europe and saved countless lives. 
The time has come to honor the Comanche code talkers for their valor 
and service to the United States. Today I would like to acknowledge the 
brave accomplishments of Charles Chibitty, Haddon Codynah, Robert 
Holder, Forrest Kassanovoid, Willington Mihecoby, Perry Noyebad, 
Clifford Otitivo, Simmons Parker, Melvin Permansu, Dick Red Elk, Elgin 
Red Elk, Larry Saupitty, Morris Sunrise, and Willie Yackeschi.
  During the first year of World War I, when Germany had deciphered all 
Allied codes, and Allied forces were suffering from heavy casualties, 
18 Choctaw Indian soldiers were recruited on the battlefield to use 
their native language as a new code. This code, which was never 
successfully deciphered by the Germans, was thereafter used widely 
throughout the war and was instrumental in the movement of American 
soldiers, the protection of American supplies, and the preparation for 
assaults on German positions.
  The Choctaw code talkers were highly successful and saved many lives 
and munitions. Their contribution is just another example of the 
commitment of Native Americans to the defense of the United States, as 
well as another example of the proud legacy of the Native Americans. 
The original 18 Choctaw code talkers have already been honored by a 
memorial bearing their names located at the entrance of the tribal 
complex in Durant, OK. Now I would like to continue to honor their 
legacy by urging my colleagues to vote affirmatively for S. 540.

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