FORT SILL, Okla. (Nov. 21, 2013) -- Many people have heard of the Marine Navajo code talkers of World War II, but there were also Comanche Soldiers who were code talkers operating in the European Theater. Their communications during D-Day were instrumental to the success of the invasion.
Comanche Code talkers were highlighted by the niece of two of the Soldiers during the Fort Sill Native American Heritage Month luncheon Nov. 14 at the Patriot Club. Phyllis Wahahrockah-Tasi, Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center executive director, showed a video she helped produce. It was about the diary her her uncle Pfc. Larry Saupitty kept while in training at Camp Gordon, Ga., in 1942.
The 428th Field Artillery Brigade sponsored the commemoration, which was hosted by Brig. Gen. Donald Fryc, Air Defense Artillery School commandant and chief of ADA, on behalf of the Fort Sill commanding general.
National Native American Heritage Month honors the many contributions and accomplishments of the first Americans -- American Indians and Alaska natives. This year's theme is "Guiding our Destiny with Heritage and Traditions," said Mike Dooley, 428th FA Brigade deputy commander and master of ceremonies.
"Since the Revolutionary War, Native Americans and Alaska Natives have played a vital role in our country's freedom and security," said Dooley. "They proudly serve in all departments of the U.S. government today."
Col. Gene Meredith, 428th FA Brigade commander, introduced Wahahrockah-Tasi. He said Fort Sill is the historical link to the Frontier Army here, and it not only captures the history of Soldiers, but also the local Native American culture and its Soldiers, warriors, scouts, statesmen and medicine men.
"Names like 'Poolaw' [Hall], 'I-See-O' [Hall], 'Mow-Way' [Road], 'Quanah Parker' [road, housing, range] and my personal favorite being a paratrooper, 'Geronimo' [school, road, lodge], surround us everyday," Meredith said, "paying honor to the Native American warriors, who have served their society and the American society at large."
Wahahrockah-Tasi explained how 17 young Comanche men were recruited by the Army from the Lawton-Fort Sill area in 1941. The trained with the 4th Signal Company, 4th Infantry Division at Camp Gordon, Ga., for coded message training. Saupitty kept a daily diary of his training in 1942.
Saupitty chronicled his training, his R&R and his pay, which was around $30 a paycheck, as well as his visits back to Lawton.
In the training, Comanches of the 4th Sig. compiled a vocabulary of more than 100 code terms using words or phrases in their own language, according to an exhibit at the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark Museum. Using a substitution method, the Comanche code word for tank was 'turtle,' bomber was 'pregnant airplane,' and machine gun was 'sewing machine.'
On June 6, 1944, at the Battle of Normandy, France, 13 Comanche code talkers landed at Utah Beach and began transmitting messages. Some were wounded, but none were killed. After the battle, they continued their work in theater.
Later this month, families of the deceased code talkers will be presented the Congressional Gold Medal, Wahahrockah-Tasi said.
Fryc presented Wahahrockah-Tasi with a gift. He said it is right and just to celebrate the heritage of the many American Indian nations and tribes, as well as diversity because it strengthens the force.
Lakota Chief Yellow Lark concluded the ceremony with the benediction: "O Great Spirit, ... I seek strength not to be greater than my brothers, but to fight my greatest enemy ... my fears and my doubts."
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