Native Americans began this period with the achievement of the first Native American female, Midshipman Sarah Hinds, to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981. Native Americans continued to expand into non-traditional positions, such as Naval Test Parachutist Misty D. Warren, USN. She was selected by NASA to test equipment fitted for female astronauts and participated in NASA's Space Shuttle Recovery Systems Surveillance Test Program in Houston, Texas. Also with NASA, Commander John B. Herrington, USN, flew on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2002. On this mission, he became the first Native American to walk in space.

Pressing the boundaries of normal duty for Native Americans was Naval Aviator Rear Admiral Michael L. Holmes, USN, who was the highest ranking Native American in the Armed Forces before he retired in 2005. Additionally, Captain Jeffrey Trussler, USN, has sought a career in the submarine community and was the former commanding officer of USS Maryland (SSBN 738). Trussler is now serving as Commander, Task Force 69 for the Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy.

Native Americans keep their traditions alive within the U.S. Navy, and their Native American Heritage Month Presentations are highly sought after for the month of November. The relay of Native American traditions, dances, and performances, as those shown in this presentation, reflect commitment and pride in military values.

Native Americans in the U.S. Navy - Main

Click the photograph to prompt a larger view.

Photo #: NH 107231-KN (Color) Midshipman Sara Hinds, USN Halftone photograph from the official Navy publication, "The Lucky Bag," 1981. Midshipman Hinds was the first Native American woman to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. In that same year, the first four Hispanic females also graduated from the academy. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph Online Image: 80KB; 650 x 925
Photo #: DN-SN-84-01402 Seaman Roger B. Littlejohn, USN Seaman Roger Littlejohn, a Radioman on board the frigate USS Whipple (FF-1062), proofreads a perforated tape in the ship's communication center, May 1982. Littlejohn is Native American. Department of Defense Still Media Photograph Online Image: 106KB; 600 x 925
Photo #: NH 107224 Instrumentman Second Class Patricia White Bear, USN Halftone photograph from "All Hands" magazine, June 1988. During the time of this article, IM2 White Bear served on board USS Jason (AR-8). She entered the Navy in June 1981 from Omaha and previously worked in the state of Nebraska at various hospitals and juvenile facilities. She stated, "The Navy has made many opportunities available to me, and I have used those opportunities." Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval History and Heritage Command. Online Image: 213KB; 560 x 925
Photo #: NH 107226-KN (Color) Naval Test Parachutist Misty D. Warren, USN Naval Test Parachutist Misty D. Warren, a Choctaw, attended Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning in October 1998 and earned her Basic Parachutist Jump Wings. NASA selected her to test equipment fitted for female astronauts. Warren also has participated in the NASA's Space Shuttle Recovery Systems Surveillance Test Program in Houston, Texas. Donation of Misty D. Warren. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 87KB; 705 x 925
Photo #: NH 107227-KN (Color) Fireman Apprentice Andrea Barney, USN Fireman Apprentice Barney says a Navajo prayer to start off Native American and Alaskan Native Heritage Month celebration on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). Truman's Carrier Strike Group (CSG-10) and her embarked Carrier Airwing Three (CVW-3) were then currently on a scheduled deployment supporting the Global War on Terrorism, November 2004. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 269KB; 640 x 925
Photo #: NH 107228-KN (Color) Rear Admiral Michael L. Holmes, USN Rear Admiral Holmes, a North Carolina Lumbee, speaks to Wing Eleven personnel in a hanger on board Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. Rear Adm. Holmes discussed the changes and the impact in the P-3 Orion community, August 2005. Completing Aviation Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned an Ensign in 1973 and retired a two-star admiral in 2005. At the time, Holmes was the highest ranking Native American in the armed services. Photographed by PMAN Jacqueline Hall, USN. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 231KB; 900 x 665
Photo #: NH 107232-KN (Color) IC2 Alexander Manygoats, USN Interior Communications Electrician Second Class Alexander Manygoats explains the significance and symbolism of a Native American marriage basket at a presentation given by USS Carl Vinson's (CVN-70) American Heritage Observance Committee during an observance of American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. Carl Vinson was then undergoing a scheduled refueling complex overhaul at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, 2006. Photograph by MC3 Amanda L. Bruechert. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 232KB; 640 x 925
Photo #: NH 107236-KN (Color) Captain Jeffrey Trussler, USN An Oklahoma Cherokee, Trussler graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1985 and has spent his career within the submarine community. From 2003 to 2006, he commanded USS Maryland (SSBN 738) and became Commander, Task Force 69, Sixth Fleet, overseeing all submarine and undersea warfare operations in the Mediterranean Sea in 2008. Photographed circa 2008. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 162KB; 720 x 925
Photo #: NH 107233-KN (Color) Commander John B. Herrington, USN, (Retired) and Lieutenant Ken Vargas, USN Former NASA Astronaut and retired Commander Herrington, left, presents the Eagle Staff while First Naval Construction Division Budgeting and Planning Officer Lieutenant Ken Vargas, right, present the American Flag during the presentation of colors at the opening ceremony of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference at the Oregon Convention Center, October 2009. Herrington is from the Oklahoma Chickasaw tribe and flew on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2002. On this mission, he became the first Native American to walk in space. With a Choctaw mother and a Peruvian father, Vargas is both Native American and Hispanic. A former Marine, he graduated college and was commissioned in 2000. Serving in the Civil Engineering Corps, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 2009. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 148KB; 600 x 925

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions

To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.