Today is #MemorialDay - the day in which we honor and remember those servicemen and servicewomen who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
As a Native American former U.S. Army Lieutenant and enlisted soldier, I would like to express this honor in a #thread.
As a Native American former U.S. Army Lieutenant and enlisted soldier, I would like to express this honor in a #thread.
Lori Ann Piestewa, 23-years-old
Army Specialist Lori Piestewa (Hopi) was the first American servicewoman killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was also the first Hopi woman and the first Native American woman to die in combat in the service of the United States.
Army Specialist Lori Piestewa (Hopi) was the first American servicewoman killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was also the first Hopi woman and the first Native American woman to die in combat in the service of the United States.
Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., 26, Korean War
Red Cloud Jr. (Winnebago) a corporal in Company E 19th Infantry in Korea, in November 1950 was surprised by Chinese forces yet stayed in position and sounded the alarm. Severely wounded, he refused assistance, fought, & was fatally wounded.
Red Cloud Jr. (Winnebago) a corporal in Company E 19th Infantry in Korea, in November 1950 was surprised by Chinese forces yet stayed in position and sounded the alarm. Severely wounded, he refused assistance, fought, & was fatally wounded.
Ernest E. Evans, 36, World War II
Evans (Cherokee, Creek) was a Lieutenant Commander on the USS Johnston during the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944. Under attack from Japanese forces Evans gave orders telling his crew that “survival cannot be expected.”
Evans (Cherokee, Creek) was a Lieutenant Commander on the USS Johnston during the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944. Under attack from Japanese forces Evans gave orders telling his crew that “survival cannot be expected.”
Charles George, 20, Korean War - Medal of Honor, 1954
PFC George (Cherokee) was killed in Korea on 30 November 1952, when during the battle he threw himself on a grenade and saved the lives of his comrades. For this, George was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1954.
PFC George (Cherokee) was killed in Korea on 30 November 1952, when during the battle he threw himself on a grenade and saved the lives of his comrades. For this, George was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1954.
Marine Cpl. Brett L. Lundstrom, 22, Iraq
On Jan 7, 2006, Marine Corporal Lundstrom (Oglala Sioux) was killed by small arms fire during a battle near Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lundstrom was born in Vermillion, South Dakota, June 12, 1983 to Ed and Doyla Lundstrom.
On Jan 7, 2006, Marine Corporal Lundstrom (Oglala Sioux) was killed by small arms fire during a battle near Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lundstrom was born in Vermillion, South Dakota, June 12, 1983 to Ed and Doyla Lundstrom.
CPL Tanner J. O’Leary, 23, Afghanistan
O’Leary, a Cheyenne River paratrooper from South Dakota was killed by an improvised explosive device on Dec 9, 2007. He was a combat infantryman with 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne.
O’Leary, a Cheyenne River paratrooper from South Dakota was killed by an improvised explosive device on Dec 9, 2007. He was a combat infantryman with 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne.
Army Staff Sgt. Jordan Logan Bear, 25
2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry, and 82nd Airborne Staff Sergeant Jordan Logan Bear was killed in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan by an Afghan soldier firing from a tower.
2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry, and 82nd Airborne Staff Sergeant Jordan Logan Bear was killed in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan by an Afghan soldier firing from a tower.
Native people serve at the highest ratio in the arms services of any other ethnicity.
Though Native children were taken from their homes and punished for speaking their own languages, these Native languages were used by codetalkers - the only unbroken code in military history.
Though Native children were taken from their homes and punished for speaking their own languages, these Native languages were used by codetalkers - the only unbroken code in military history.
I could tweet about all of those deserving of honor for a long long time.
To those who served, and especially today on #MemorialDay to those who gave their lives - I honor you all.
To those who served, and especially today on #MemorialDay to those who gave their lives - I honor you all.
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