Charles Chibitty

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Charles Joyce Chibitty
Born (1921-11-20)November 20, 1921
Medicine Park, Oklahoma, United States
Died July 20, 2005(2005-07-20) (aged 83)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Place of burial Flora Haven Memorial Gardens
Allegiance United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1941-1945
Rank Corporal
Unit Sixth Army Signal Corps, 4th Infantry Division
Battles/wars

World War II

Charles Joyce Chibitty (November 20, 1921 – July 20, 2005) was a Comanche Numunu code talker, who spoke in his native language to relay messages for the United States Army during the European Theatre of World War II.

Life

Chibitty was born outside of Medicine Park, Oklahoma, a city located 14 miles north-west of Lawton.[1][2][3] A student at the Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, Kansas, [1][2][3][4] he constantly heard reports concerning the rise of Nazi Germany throughout Europe, and his parents granted him permission to enlist in the United States Army on December 26, 1941.[1][3][4]

The United States Army was searching for Comanche Indians to serve as code talkers in the European Theatre, in order to relay messages to U.S. Forces in order prevent Germans from deciphering the messages.[1][3][4] Chibitty served in the Sixth Army Signal Company in the 4th Infantry Division,[4] and survived the Battle of Normandy.[1][4] He earned the World War II Victory Medal, the European Theater of Operations Victory Medal with five Bronze Stars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and also Combat Infantryman Badge.

In 1989, Chibitty and Comanche code talkers Roderick Red Elk and Forrest Kassanavoid were presented with the Chevalier of the Ordre National du Mérite, and named Knights of the National Order of Merit by the French government.[2] However, the role of Comanche code talkers in World War II was not recognized by the United States until 1999, in which Chibbity received the Knowlton Award from The Pentagon as the last surviving Comanche code talker.[1][2][3][4]

Chibitty died due to diabetes complications on July 20, 2005, in a Tulsa Area hospital.[1][3] He is buried at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Charlie was attached to the 6th Army Signal Corps, and was forward troop to redeem German concentration camps.

Medals and decorations

 Bronze Star with 4 Oak leaf clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantry Badge

See also

  • Code talkers
  • Native Americans in World War II

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Comanche Code Talker Charles Chibitty Dies by the Washington Post (July 26, 2005).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Festival of Word Honors Code Talker Charles Chibitty (February 25, 2004).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Charles Chibitty, 83; Comanche Code Talker for Allies During World War II by the Los Angeles Times (July 24, 2005).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Oral Histories by Time (May 23, 2004)

External links

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