As far back as WWI, the U.S. military used ancient and rare Native American languages as codes over military radio. This was because our enemies abroad were listening. These languages were completely incomprehensible to them, making them the perfect code. The men that used these codes to convey essential information were called code talkers. Though it’s long been known by the general public that the United States used code talkers, it wasn’t until recently they got the recognition they deserved.
Last year, Congress announced that 32 more tribes would be honored with Congressional Gold Medals for their contributions to the war effort. Congress awarded 25 Native American tribes with medals honoring their service in WWI and WWII last November. The Navajo tribe was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal in 2000. Seven tribes remain, with their gold medals still in the design process.
The 33 tribes schedule to be honored with medals were/are:
• Central Council of Tlingit
• Haida Tribes
• Cherokee Nation Cheyenne
• Arapaho Tribes
• Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
• Choctaw Nation
• Comanche Nation
• Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
• Crow Tribe
• Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes
• Ho-Chunk Nation
• Hopi Tribe
• Kiowa Tribe
• Laguna Pueblo
• Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
• Menominee Nation
• St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
• Muscogee Nation
• Oglala Sioux Tribe
• Oneida Nation
• Osage Nation
• Pawnee Nation
• Ponca Tribe
• Pueblo of Acoma
• Rosebud Sioux Tribe
• Sac and Fox Tribe
• Santee Sioux Tribe Seminole Nation
• Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
• Tonto Apache Tribe
• White Mountain Apache Tribe
• Yankton Sioux Tribe
Of the seven remaining medals, the designs for the Crow Tribe medal have just been released. The gold medal features a crow-inspired design. Wings hanging off a star, with the words “code talker” above make up the obverse. The reverse side features a design very similar to the Crow Tribe’s flag: two headdresses, a peace pipe, and teepee with mountains in the background.
Liberty Coin & Currency specializes in rare coins and currency. We are a family owned business located in Portland and Vancouver. We also buy gold, silver, diamonds, and jewelry. Visit us first for a free evaluation.
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