Friday, May 24, 2024 – Remembering Native American World War II veterans

The world is gearing up for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Of course, that decisive military action by Allied forces was more than just one day and was supported by actions across Europe. We’ll hear about what the war was like for Native Americans who served, and get a profile of one of the infantry divisions that had among the highest percentage of Native enlisted members in the military.

GUESTS

Dr. Denise Neil (Cherokee Nation), Executive Director of the Oklahoma National Guard Museum

G.M. “Choc” Charleston (Choctaw Nation), 100-year-old World War II veteran

Charles Shay (Penobscot Nation), 99-year-old elder, writer, and veteran of World War II and the Korean War

Portrait of Donald Gover painted by Brummett Echohawk. Both Gover and Brummett were Pawnee Nation citizens and both served in the 45th Infantry Division during World War II. (Courtesy Oklahoma National Guard Museum)

The world is gearing up for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Of course, that decisive military action by Allied forces was more than just one day and was supported by actions across Europe. We’ll hear about what the war was like for Native Americans who served, and get a profile of one of the infantry divisions that had among the highest percentage of Native enlisted members in the military.

GUESTS

Dr. Denise Neil (Cherokee Nation), Executive Director of the Oklahoma National Guard Museum

G.M. “Choc” Charleston (Choctaw Nation), 100-year-old World War II veteran

Charles Shay (Penobscot Nation), 99-year-old elder, writer, and veteran of World War II and the Korean War

Break 1 Music: Veteran’s Honoring Song (song) Red Hawk Medicine Drum (artist) New Beginnings (album)

Break 2 Music: Fancy Dance (Song) Yellow Hammer (artist) Yellow Hammer (album)