Native Code Talkers secured highly sensitive communications with a code that German specialists could not break. Ironically, the U.S. government banned many Native Americans from speaking their language in tribal boarding schools in the late 19th century. Even so, Native Code Talkers were broadly credited for their crucial role in helping the Allied Forces win WWI. Code Talkers later served through WWII and in Korea and Viet Nam.
Although Native Americans were not considered citizens of the United States until 1924 and could not vote until decades later, an estimated 12,000 from many tribes across America served in WWI.
“…6,500 Native men were drafted, and about 5,000 more enlisted, eager to carry on the warrior traditions of their tribes. The Onondaga and Onieda Nations even declared war against Germany. Fourteen American Indian women served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.” (Doughboy.org)
Approximately 44,000 Native Americans served in WWII.
Following are 7 Amazing Facts from the story of Native Code Talkers of WWI.
#1-Allied Enemies Were Intercepting Communications
The United States joined Allied forces (including France, Great Britain, and Russia) in April of 1917 after Germany escalated attacks on American merchant ships. The transmission of secret information to troops was difficult with German forces tapping into lines and breaking all codes. Human runners, messenger pigeons and buzzer phones proved to be slow, vulnerable and unreliable.
With heavy casualties and many lost battles, the Allies were at a stalemate against the Central Powers (including Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire) for more than three years. They desperately needed a reliable method of communication that the Germans could not intercept.
According to Marines Together We Served:
“Allied commanding generals were constantly pushing their signal people to find a solution. Some progress was made but not enough to stop everyday losses.“ (Marines.TogehterWeServed)
#2-Native Americans Became The Stars Of Communications
As the story goes, an answer presented itself early in 1918.
Colonel. A. W. Bloor, U.S. Army, in the 142nd Infantry in France suspected that his phone lines had been tapped and the codes broken. To be certain, he sent coordinates regarding a supply dump to headquarters.
Warfare History Network writes:
“Within 30 minutes German shells began landing in that area.”
With confirmation that their phone lines had been tapped and code broken, they had to send messages via pigeons, radio or semaphore (a signaling device).
“That left only runners to coordinate the units along an unstable and shifting front. Messengers, small and fast, were usually chosen, and many were Native Americans.” (WarfareHistoryNetwork)
When Col. Bloor heard Choctaw Natives communicating in their tribal language, he reasoned that if he could not understand them, most likely German code breakers could not either.
“With the active cooperation of his Choctaw soldiers, he tested and deployed a code, using the Choctaw language in place of regular military code.“(Marines.TogehterWeServed)
On October 26, 1918, Col. Bloor tested the idea. Native Code Talkers delivered a message by field phone in Choctaw, ordering two companies in the 2nd Battalion to withdraw from Chuffilly to Chardonnay, France. Native Code Talkers on the other end received the message, which they translated into English.
When it became apparent that the Germans were not ahead of the withdrawn American troops, Col. Bloor assumed the German wiretaps were baffled by the Choctaw language jus as he was.
With such a desperate need for safe communications, it’s possible that this brilliant idea had more than one “father.”
In another version of the story it was American soldier, Albert Billy, who suggested to his commanding officer that the Choctaw language be used to confuse the enemy. (Texas Military Department)
#3-The Codes Were Carefully Designed
Native Code Talkers became instantly essential to the Allied Victory. Two Native officers supervised the organization of nineteen Choctaw Code Talkers in the now famous communications system according to Marines Together We Served.
“Lacking the words for certain modern-day military terms, they used “big gun” for artillery, “little gun shoot fast” for machine gun, “stone” for grenade and “scalps” for casualties, among other substitutions, thereby becoming true code talkers rather than simply communications operators speaking a little-known language.” (Marines.TogehterWeServed)
#4-Native American Soldiers Proved Bravery In WWI
Native Code Talkers proved essential in countless military movements.
One of the most significant was the Meuse-Argonne Campaign in France on Oct. 7-8, 1918.
“Within hours, eight Choctaw speakers had been dispatched to strategic positions. They were instrumental in helping U.S. troops win several key battles. Even if the Germans were listening, they couldn’t understand. It was also the quickest way of coding and decoding information, faster than any machine, giving U.S. troops a crucial edge over the enemy. (Marines.TogehterWeServed)
The World War.org writes that during this particular offensive, Choctaws as well as soldiers from the Oklahoma Cherokee Nations were employed as Code Talkers.
“A group of eight Choctaw Code Talkers enabled Americans to capture an entire German line with minimal losses.” (The World War.org)
#5-Many North American Tribes Participated
Members from other Indigenous American tribes joined the Choctaw. Cherokee, Cheyenne, Comanche, Osage, Sioux and Yankton were among those trained as Native Code Talkers.
In WWII, Navajo Indians became Native Code Talkers (also known as Windtalkers).
Some accounts conflict regarding which tribe was first. According to WorldWar.org, The first recorded use of Native Code Talkers took place shortly before June 21, 1918.
“During a battle against German forces in France near Château Thierry, two men from the Ho-Chunk Nation – Robert Big Thunder and John Longtail – were relied upon to send necessary communications that the enemy could not understand.”(The World War.org)
#6-There Were Countless Individual Stories Of Bravery
One such story involved Pvt. Joseph Oklahombi who served in Company D, First World War I soldier Battalion, 141st Regiment, Seventy-first Brigade of the Thirty-sixth Infantry Division
Oklahombi became one of the most decorated WWI soldiers and Native Code Talkers from Oklahoma.
Marines Together We Served writes:
“On October 8, 1918, Oklahombi was at St. Etienne, France. According to some reports, he and 23 other soldiers attacked an enemy position and captured 171 Germans while killing some 79 more. They held their position for four days while under attack.”
For his service, Oklahombi was awarded the Silver Star with Victory Ribbon, and the Croix de Guerre from France’s Marshal Henri-Philippe Petain. (Marines.TogehterWeServed)
#7-Native American Soldiers Were Finally Recognized
The 1890 census recorded the Native American population at less than 225,000, down from many millions prior to settlers arriving in 1492..
The very languages and people the U.S. Government attempted to eradicate helped the Allies secure victory in WWI. Despite the successes of the Native Code Talkers, America did not immediately recognize their valor and significant contributions.
In 2008, the Code Talkers Recognition Act was passed, leading to a 2013 Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for both WWI and WWII Code Talkers,
The overwhelming success and bravery of the Native Code Talkers of WWI paved the trail to the expansion of the Code Talkers during World War II.
For more stories on Native Americans in Racing Nellie Bly:
Edward Curtis documented the culture and lifestyle of Native American tribes before it was too late. MORE
Marie Bottineau Baldwin was one of the first Native American women to become a force in federal politics for her people. MORE
First Thanksgiving mourners reject the glossy myths of cheerful Pilgrims sharing a feast with grateful Indian neighbors. MORE
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