September 26, 2008

Honoring the Comanche codetalkers

Comanche "Code Talkers" honored by tribe, City of LawtonDuring World War II, Native American soldiers were a key part of the allies' success, because the US Military used them to send secret messages in their native language, and it could not be decoded by the enemy. Comanches were one of more than a dozen tribes who participated in the top secret program that employed the "Code Talkers."

As the official kickoff to the Comanche Nation Fair, the tribe's museum unveiled an exhibit dedicated to the "Code Talkers." The "Native Words, Native Warriors" exhibit is a travelling exhibit on loan from the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC. While the artifacts, photographs, and letters pay tribute to all of the "Code Talkers" of the war, the museum is placing special emphasis on the 17 Comanche men who helped communicate critical messages during the war.

No comments: