First Native Code Talkers Honored in Fort Worth

0:00It's April 1st. I'm Cory with the story. This is Dallas News today, driven by AI. Fort Worth just unveiled a new Texas historical marker at Veterans Memorial Park to honor the first Native American co-talkers in U.S. military. History. These were a 19 Choctaw men from Oklahoma who served in World War I with the 36th Infantry Division. They trained right there at Camboy and changed the game in battles across northern France. For 50 folks showed up Wednesday for the dedication, including top leaders from the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma. The co-talkers used their native language over phone lines to send secure messages that stumped the Germans who couldn't crack it in time. That kept Allied plans safe and helped swing key fights in the Allies' favor. People like Nuchin Ashoba, President of the Choctaw Code Talkers Association, and great granddaughter of one of the men, have pushed hard to tell this. She never met her great grandpa, but grew up with his photos and took the reins 19 years

1:02back. Leaders say these soldiers proved their patriotism for the whole country, beyond just native roots. The ideas sparked when a colonel overheard two Choctaw soldiers chatting in their language and realized it could outfox enemy spies, tapping U.S. lines. Recognition came late. Native Americans got citizenship in 1924, and Congress honored the co-talkers with medals in 2000. Eight under President George W. Bush. This marker, put up with the city, Texas Historical Commission, and Choctaw Nation, keeps their language and culture alive against efforts to erase. It. It fits the park's goal to celebrate military service plus those unique contributions that built America, reminding us how everyday heroes shaped the wins we all share.