Celebrations honoring 67 Native American code talkers who served in World War I and World War II are taking place across the state. The celebrations include an exhibit featuring replicas of the Congressional medals South Dakota tribes received for assisting with the war effort.
Four Oceti Sakowin celebrations are taking place this month in honor of Native American code talkers.
National Guard Major Anthony Deiss says the U.S. first sought the help of the Native American tribes to help transmit messages that couldn’t be deciphered by enemy forces.
“I think it was hugely important for the U.S. and our allies because the Germans didn’t have a clue as to what was being said by the Americans and so the native languages of our various tribes throughout the U.S. were a key role in helping to have a code that the Germans could not break, or the Japanese,” says Deiss.
The role of the code talkers was kept as classified information until 1968. Deiss says many family members had no idea their grandparents or relatives served as code talkers.
“For many years the role of the code talkers was kept classified. And after serving with honor, these veterans did the honorable thing and they kept their service a secret even from their family members and those that they loved. So obviously after their service they’ve kept their service a secret and until that information became unclassified, their families had no idea,” Deiss.
Deiss says the National Guard Diversity Council decided to take the exhibit on tour to help recognize the service of the 67 South Dakotan Native American veterans.
“I think that’s a huge testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of America in utilizing our Native American tribes and their native language to keep secret communications open within the U.S. and being able to pass along information to help win the war,” says Deiss.
The tour concludes on Veterans Days at Crazy Horse Memorial.