Native Americans long-standing service in the Military

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Veteran & Family Services Office

Native Americans have made a significant contribution to this country during times of war and conflict. American Indians served as auxiliary troops and as scouts from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. Indian Scouts were established in 1866 and deactivated in 1947.

About 12,000 Native Americans served in the military during World War I. Four American Indians from the Texas-Oklahoma National Guard Division received the Croix de Guerre (War Cross) medal from France.

Between 1941 and 1945, over 44,000 Native Americans served (with a total population of less than 350,000 nationwide). Many worked as cryptologists, using their Native languages to encode messages that the enemies could not decipher.

Alaska Natives in the Alaska Combat Intelligence Detachment were the first ashore on each island occupied by Allied forces in the Aleutian Campaign.

Approximately 10,000 Native Americans served during the Korean War and three were awarded the Medal of Honor.

Over 90 percent of the 42,000 Native Americans that served during the Vietnam Era were volunteers.

American Indian / Alaska Natives have continued to serve in high numbers since the Vietnam Era. They served in Grenada, Panama, Somalia, the Gulf War, and in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND).

Thank you to all who have served!

Veterans in need of long-term health care/assisted living

If a veteran or a veteran’s spouse is applying for ALTCS (State Long Term Health Care), DES (Department of Economic Security) requires that a form be filled out by the VA as part of the application process. Our office can assist with the required form.

Veteran and Family Services Office 520-562-9704

Peer Support Specialist Wesley Rhodes -520-610-4383

Peer Support Specialist Darrell Whitman 520-610-2037

Veteran Service Officer Kim Skelton 520-610-7644