Charles Chibitty
Encyclopedia
Charles Joyce Chibitty 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
.
, a city located 14 miles north-west of Lawton
. A student at the Haskell Indian School
in Lawrence, Kansas
,
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.
The United States Army was searching for Comanche Indians
to serve as code talker
s in the European Theatre, in order to relay messages to U.S. Forces in order prevent Germans from deciphering the messages. Chibitty served in the Sixth Army Signal Company in the 4th Infantry Division, and survived the Battle of Normandy
. 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
and the Good Conduct Medal
. 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. 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.
Chibitty died due to diabetes complications on July 20, 2005, in a Tulsa Area hospital]. 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.
Comanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
N
Code talker
Code talkers was a term used to describe people who talk using a coded language. It is frequently used to describe 400 Native American Marines who served in the United States Marine Corps whose primary job was the transmission of secret tactical messages...
, who spoke in his native language to relay messages for 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...
during the European Theatre of World War II
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
.
Life
Chibitty was born outside of Medicine Park, OklahomaMedicine Park, Oklahoma
Medicine Park is a town in Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States, situated in the Wichita Mountains near the entrance to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. Medicine Park has a long history as a vintage cobblestone resort town. Medicine Park is also located near the city of Lawton and Fort...
, a city located 14 miles north-west of Lawton
Lawton, Oklahoma
The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. A student at the Haskell Indian School
Haskell Indian Nations University
Haskell Indian Nations University is a tribal university located in Lawrence, Kansas, for members of federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States...
in Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
,
he constantly heard reports concerning the rise of Nazi Germany throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and his parents granted him permission to enlist 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...
on December 26, 1941.
The United States Army was searching for Comanche Indians
Comanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
to serve as code talker
Code talker
Code talkers was a term used to describe people who talk using a coded language. It is frequently used to describe 400 Native American Marines who served in the United States Marine Corps whose primary job was the transmission of secret tactical messages...
s in the European Theatre, in order to relay messages to U.S. Forces in order prevent Germans from deciphering the messages. Chibitty served in the Sixth Army Signal Company in the 4th Infantry Division, and survived the Battle of Normandy
Battle of Normandy
The Invasion of Normandy was the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord in World War II. It was the largest amphibious operation in history...
. He earned the World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
, the European Theater of Operations Victory Medal with five Bronze Stars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
and the Good Conduct Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
. 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
Ordre National du Mérite
The Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
, and named Knights of the National Order of Merit by the French government. 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
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
as the last surviving Comanche code talker.
Chibitty died due to diabetes complications on July 20, 2005, in a Tulsa Area hospital]. He is buried at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Broken Arrow is a city located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, primarily in Tulsa County but also with a small section of the city in western Wagoner County. It is the largest suburb of Tulsa. According to the 2010 US Census, Broken Arrow has a population of 98,850 residents...
.
Charlie was attached to the 6th Army Signal Corps, and was forward troop to redeem German concentration camps.
External links
- Charles Joyce Chibitty at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...
.com