{"id":26238,"date":"2022-07-18T00:33:15","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T04:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=26238"},"modified":"2022-07-18T00:33:15","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T04:33:15","slug":"chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-hero-receives-medal-of-honor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/07\/18\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-hero-receives-medal-of-honor\/","title":{"rendered":"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation hero receives Medal of Honor"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_youtu-be\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/SPyKrg_xxWg\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/plugins\/content-cards\/skins\/default\/content-cards-placeholder.png\" alt=\" - YouTube\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/SPyKrg_xxWg\">\n\t\t\t &#8211; YouTube\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/SPyKrg_xxWg\">\n\t\t\t<p>Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/s\/desktop\/eae06bf0\/img\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"youtu.be\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tyoutu.be\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\"> Video: <a href=https:\/\/youtu.be\/SPyKrg_xxWg>Cherokee Nation citizen Dwight Birdwell receives Medal of Honor<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">Medal of Honor Awarded to Cherokee Patriot<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Monday, July 18, 2022<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. <A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\"><I aria-hidden=true class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/I><\/A><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source\">Cherokee Nation<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source-links\"><A \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.cherokee.org\/\">cherokee.org<\/A><\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nDwight Birdwell is an American hero and Cherokee Nation patriot. \r\n<p><\/p>\r\nI deeply respect the man for his service to our tribal nation and to our country. Now he is the most recent recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States\u2019 most prestigious award for military veterans who showed bravery in combat at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.\r\n <p><\/p>\r\nOriginally from Adair County, Mr. Birdwell is one of only a handful of Cherokees throughout history to receive the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the Purple Heart and two Silver Star medals for extraordinary heroism in multiple battles. I was <a href=https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/989-cherokee-nation-citizen-dwight-birdwell-receives-medal-of-honor-from-president-biden>proud to accompany Mr. Birdwell at the White House<\/a> when he and three other U.S. Army soldiers received this long overdue honor by the President for their deeds during the Vietnam War.\r\n <p><\/p>\r\n <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/07\/18\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-hero-receives-medal-of-honor\/birdwell-biden-for-press-release-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-26245\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"26245\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/07\/18\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-hero-receives-medal-of-honor\/birdwell-biden-for-press-release-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwellJoeBiden-scaled.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"Dwight Birdwell and Joe Biden\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Dwight Birdwell and Joe Biden&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Dwight Birdwell, left, receives the Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House on July 5. 2022. Photo: &lt;a href=https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/989-cherokee-nation-citizen-dwight-birdwell-receives-medal-of-honor-from-president-biden&gt;Anadisgoi \/ Cherokee Nation&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwellJoeBiden-1024x683.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwellJoeBiden-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Dwight Birdwell and Joe Biden\"  class=\"size-full wp-image-26245\" \/><\/a> <figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Dwight Birdwell, left, receives the Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House on July 5. 2022. Photo: <a href=https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/989-cherokee-nation-citizen-dwight-birdwell-receives-medal-of-honor-from-president-biden>Anadisgoi \/ Cherokee Nation<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=row>\r\n<div class=col-6> <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/07\/18\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-hero-receives-medal-of-honor\/birdwell-biden-for-press-release\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-26243\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"26243\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/07\/18\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-hero-receives-medal-of-honor\/birdwell-biden-for-press-release\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwell-scaled.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"Dwight Birdwell\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Dwight Birdwell&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Dwight Birdwell is seen at the White House as he awaits being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on July 5. 2022. Photo: &lt;a href=https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/989-cherokee-nation-citizen-dwight-birdwell-receives-medal-of-honor-from-president-biden&gt;Anadisgoi \/ Cherokee Nation&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwell-1024x683.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwell-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Dwight Birdwell\"  class=\"size-full wp-image-26243\" \/><\/a> <figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Dwight Birdwell is seen at the White House as he awaits being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on July 5. 2022. Photo: <a href=https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/989-cherokee-nation-citizen-dwight-birdwell-receives-medal-of-honor-from-president-biden>Anadisgoi \/ Cherokee Nation<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=col-6> <a href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/07\/18\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-hero-receives-medal-of-honor\/dwightbirdwellchuckhoskin\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-26250\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-attachment-id=\"26250\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2022\/07\/18\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-hero-receives-medal-of-honor\/dwightbirdwellchuckhoskin\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwellChuckHoskin-scaled.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-title=\"Dwight Birdwell and Chuck Hoskin\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Dwight Birdwell pose at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 5. 2022. Photo: &lt;a href=https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/989-cherokee-nation-citizen-dwight-birdwell-receives-medal-of-honor-from-president-biden&gt;Anadisgoi \/ Cherokee Nation&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwellChuckHoskin-1024x683.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwellChuckHoskin-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Dwight Birdwell and Chuck Hoskin\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26250\" \/><\/a> \r\n <figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Dwight Birdwell pose at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 5. 2022. Photo: <a href=https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/989-cherokee-nation-citizen-dwight-birdwell-receives-medal-of-honor-from-president-biden>Anadisgoi \/ Cherokee Nation<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nMr. Birdwell\u2019s heroic deeds as recognized by the U.S. Army:\r\n <p><\/p>\r\n<div class=mx-4>\r\n\u201cHe was assigned to Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. He received the first Silver Star for heroism on Jan. 31, 1968, when his unit raced to defend Tan Son Nhut Air Base, which was under attack during the Tet Offensive. Cavalry Troop C was the first American ground unit from outside the airbase to respond to the attack. When Birdwell&#8217;s tank commander was seriously wounded, Birdwell took command and placed intense fire on the enemy until his ammunition was expended. He then retrieved an M-60 machine gun and continued firing at the enemy until the weapon was damaged by enemy fire, which also wounded Birdwell. With disregard for his own safety, he ran through a hail of enemy fire to get more ammunition for his men from other damaged vehicles.\r\n <p><\/p>\r\nOn the night of July 4, 1968, he again risked his life to rescue more Americans, some of them wounded, who were stranded in a battle zone in an enemy-occupied village. Seeing a damaged Army personnel carrier, he exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while loading all of the wounded and evacuating them to safety. He then went back into the village to rescue more Americans, for which he was awarded his second Silver Star for bravery.\u201d\r\n<\/div>\r\n <p><\/p>\r\nIt sounds like a Hollywood script, not the deeds of a humble man from Bell who expected no commendation. Without doubt, he is a true American hero, one that put his own life at risk without hesitation \u2013 more than once \u2013 to protect fellow Americans.\r\n <p><\/p>\r\nMr. Birdwell went on to graduate from Northeastern State University and later the OU College of Law. He served as a member and Chief Justice of the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court from 1987 to 1999. He helped lay the foundation of our tribe\u2019s modern court system. He also practiced law in the Oklahoma City area for more than 40 years, and he remains a well-respected community leader.\r\n <p><\/p><div class=\"mt-1 mb-1\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8411603009680747\" data-ad-slot=\"6394965691\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div><p><\/p>\r\nThat\u2019s why last year I wrote a <a href=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/chuckhoskin050521.pdf>letter of support to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Oklahoma\u2019s state and federal leaders<\/a> advocating for Mr. Birdwell to receive the Medal of Honor. We advocated with the nation\u2019s highest military leadership for this honor because this was simply the proper and overdue recognition for his valiant actions during the Vietnam War. We joined a chorus of individuals from across the country in support of this honor.\r\n <p><\/p>\r\nMr. Birdwell never left a man behind during his storied war career. He fought the enemy, saved his fellow soldiers and embodied the Cherokee ethos of honorable military service.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n We are tremendously proud of Dwight Birdwell, as a fellow Cherokee. He represents thousands of Cherokees over the generations who have proudly served our country to protect our freedoms.\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n<HR><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-3\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/23\/chuckhoskinavatar.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Hoskin Jr\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" class=\"rounded-circle\" \/><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-9\"><EM><A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\">Chuck Hoskin Jr.<\/A> \r\nis the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian \r\ntribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the \r\nCherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from \r\n1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe\u2019s \r\nSecretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the \r\nCherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.<\/EM><\/div><\/div><HR>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dwight Birdwell is an American hero and Cherokee Nation patriot.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26245,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13,9,14],"tags":[76,346,3092,53,25,57,569],"class_list":["post-26238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-law","category-opinion","category-politics","tag-chuck-hoskin","tag-dc","tag-dwight-birdwell","tag-joe-biden","tag-military","tag-veterans","tag-wars","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-6Pc","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/18\/DwightBirdwellJoeBiden-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26238\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}