Frank Sanache, a veteran of Kasserine Pass, a former POW, and the last of the Meskwaki code talkers, has passed away at the age of 86. CNN: World War II 'code talker' dies, August 24, 2004 KVOA4: Grassley seeks Congressional Medal for Meskwaki code talkers, April 30, 2004 Senator Tom Harkin: Photo - Tom Harkin Presents Medals To WWII Code Talker Frank Senache, August 10, 2002 USA Today: Last Meskwaki code talker remembers, July 4, 2002 Meskwaki.com: History Native Languages of the Americas: Mesquakie-Sauk (Sac and Fox) [ 26. August 2004, 07:17 AM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]
While it was a neat idea (and used exclusively in the Pacific), it really accomplished nothing. The Japanese had little in the way of tactical radio intelligence and less in means to diseminate it where it might be useful. As to giving these guys the CMH, what an insult to those who really deserved that medal. KVOA (One of Tucson's liberal news stations....first hand knowledge there as I don't apply that moniker lightly.) suggests this. As typical ill-informed fools, they overreach. The "code talkers" did their duties just as those beside them did. If one reads typical CMH citations from WW II the code talkers as a group didn't come close to earning this award. Give them Meritiorious Service Medals if you must (this award is for exceptional service but not valerous acts). Add a combat V to it where appropriate. But please do not disgrace the CMH (which is similar to the Victoria Cross in award requirements) by handing it out just because a tactical radioman could speak a unique language.
T.A., the Congressional Gold and Silver Medals which were awarded to the Code Talkers are different medals than the Medal of Honor. U.S. National Archives & Records Administration: "Semper Fidelis, Code Talkers", Winter 2001 <a href="http://clerk.house.gov/histHigh/Congressional_History/goldMedal.html" target="_blank"> House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk: Congressional Gold Medal Recipients</a> [ 25. August 2004, 11:57 PM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]
The Navajo Nation pressured Congress for the Congressional Medals to be given their Marine Code Talkers. This was, in effect, their deliberate 'up yours' to the Army's Code Talkers of many tribes and nations who served honorably, bravely, and effectively in Europe and the Mediterranean And I seem to recall that there were also Code Talkers in the Navy. What would it have hurt the Navajo to say, "Let our country honor ALL Code Talkers."? (Rhetorical question, it was in-your-face greed)
