National

Native Sun News: Code Talker medals shown in traveling exhibit

Monday, October 5, 2015

Richard Brown holds the Congressional Silver Medal earned by his father, code talker Garfield T. Brown, along with a photo of his father in his war-time uniform. Photo by Richie Richards

Congressional Gold Medals to be part of traveling exhibit
By Richie Richards
Native Sun News Staff Writer

CRAZY HORSE –– On Oct. 15, 2008, “The Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008” was enacted and required the issuance of medals to honor Native American code talkers from World War I and World War II.

And on Nov. 20, 2013, over 200 Native American code talkers were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington DC; this is the highest honoring given for national appreciation. These medals were given to tribal representatives of code talkers posthumously. Each of the 25 tribes was given the Congressional Gold Medal while the code talkers were given the Congressional Silver Medal. Flandreau and Lower Brule are yet to receive medals, but will be available in the future.

The Oceti Sakowin Code Talker Medallion exhibit is a traveling exhibit to display and honor the Native American Code Talkers. The exhibit will visit 4 sites in South Dakota and feature the Congressional Gold Medals from each tribe.

The exhibit will visit Pierre Oct. 14, Watertown Oct. 21, and Sioux Falls on Oct. 28, and will conclude at the Crazy Horse Memorial on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. Public viewing will be from 10-3 daily with a special honoring at 11:11 a.m. at each site.