Comanches recognize Code Talker impact with D-Day 80th Anniversary

The Comanche Nation is commemorating Thursday’s 80th anniversary of D-Day and the role of the Comanche Code Talkers.

A new exhibit unveiling rare photos of World War II memorabilia along with a history of the moment the tides turned against the Nazis begins Thursday at the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center, 801 NW Ferris. Commemorative T-shirts will be given while supplies last.

The integral role of the Comanche Code Talkers in this effort is something that is remembered at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. In 1989, the French government awarded the Comanche Code Talkers the Chevalier of the National Order of Merit, a very high honor.

In 2000, the United States Congress passed legislation to honor the Navajo Code Talkers and provided them with special gold and silver Congressional Medals. Thirteen years later, the Comanche Code Talkers received their recognition with the silver Congressional Medals.

The seven Comanche County Code Talkers are: Gilbert Conwoop, Charles Chibitty;, Forrest Kassanavoid, Perry Noyobad, Simmons Parker, Larry Saupitty and Morris (Sunrise) Tabbyyetchy.

The 22 Code Talkers from Cotton County are: Calvin Atchavit, George Clark, Edward Albert Nahquaddy Sr., Samuel Tabbytosavit, Haddon Codynah Robert Holder, Wellington Mihecoby, Edward Albert Nahquaddy Jr., Clifford Otitivo Sr., Melvin Permansu, Elgin Red Elk, Roderick Red Elk, Anthony Tabbytite, Ralph Wahnee and Willis Yackeschi).

A contingent from the Comanche Indian Veterans Association (CIVA) are attending the 80th D-Day Anniversary in Normandy, France.

The Code Talkers from the Fourth Infantry Division were activated on June 1, 1940. The Fourth Signal Company was the communications unit for the division and 17 Comanches who were recruited by the Army between December of 1940 and January of 1941, and trained in communications. In the fall of 1941, the Comanche soldiers completed their code in the Comanche language and their general communications training to form a special unit.

The late-Haddon “Red” Codynah sat down with Joe L. Todd for the Oklahoma Historical Society in April 1987 and shared the origins of the Code Talkers. He said an Army officer came to the superintendent at Anadarko Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in 1938 or 1939.

“The Colonel said it would be a good idea if some of the boys wanted to volunteer before they got drafted and the program could be started,” he said in the interview. “They called Bill Karty and he was already working for the agency and they asked him what he thought about it. He thought it was a good idea and turned it over to him as a recruiter for the program. He went around and talked to the Comanche people and explained the program and what it was about. He said this Army officer wanted to use the Comanche boys and the Comanche language in the Army.”

From there, history was born.