Bob Greene (Makah)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" Greene Sr. was an American
Makah elder. Greene was the oldest living Makah man and the second-to-last surviving Makah veteran
of World War II
at the time of his death in 2010. He was a fluent speaker of the Makah language
, an indigenous language spoken by the Makah people of Washington state.
, to parents, Walter and Florence Tucker-Greene. He enrolled in Chemawa Indian Boarding School
, located near Salem, Oregon
, where he became a boxing
champion. He was a fluent Makah language
speaker, an increasingly rare language.
He enlisted in the United States Army
after leaving Chemawa. Greene served in the Pacific theater during World War II
. He would be honored at the Makah Days Parade for 52 years for service during the war.
John Ides became the last surviving Makah veteran of World War II upon the death of Greene.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Makah elder. Greene was the oldest living Makah man and the second-to-last surviving Makah veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
at the time of his death in 2010. He was a fluent speaker of the Makah language
Makah language
The Makah language is the Indigenous language spoken by the Makah people. Makah has been extinct as a first language since 2002, when its last fluent native speaker died. However, it survives as a second language, and the Makah tribe is attempting to revive the language, including through preschool...
, an indigenous language spoken by the Makah people of Washington state.
Biography
Greene was born on April 16, 1918, in Neah Bay, WashingtonNeah Bay, Washington
Neah Bay is a census-designated place on the Makah Indian reservation in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 794 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Neah Bay is located at ....
, to parents, Walter and Florence Tucker-Greene. He enrolled in Chemawa Indian Boarding School
Chemawa Indian School
Chemawa Indian School is a Native American boarding school in Salem, Oregon, United States. It was opened on February 25, 1880 as an elementary school, but as of 2005, served ninth through twelfth grades. It is sometimes referred to as Chemawa High School...
, located near Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, where he became a boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
champion. He was a fluent Makah language
Makah language
The Makah language is the Indigenous language spoken by the Makah people. Makah has been extinct as a first language since 2002, when its last fluent native speaker died. However, it survives as a second language, and the Makah tribe is attempting to revive the language, including through preschool...
speaker, an increasingly rare language.
He enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
after leaving Chemawa. Greene served in the Pacific theater during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He would be honored at the Makah Days Parade for 52 years for service during the war.
Death
Bob Greene died of natural causes on June 21, 2010, at the age of 92. His wife, Hazel Butler-Greene, and two daughters predeceased him. Greene was survived by four daughters, Janice La Chester, Elaine Richardson, Pam Greene and Trudy Ward; and four sons, Bob Greene Jr., Keith Greene, Craig Greene Sr. and Kevin Greene.John Ides became the last surviving Makah veteran of World War II upon the death of Greene.