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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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Contributions of Native Americans to the U.S. Navy

Serving the Nation Since Its Birth


Charting a Course into the Future.


 

Since 1776, when General George Washington began enlisting Native Americans for his Army, Navy, and Marines, Native Americans have contributed significantly to the defense of our nation. During the Civil War, 20,000 Native Americans served with Union forces both at sea and on the land. During World War I, although ineligible for the draft, 15,000 Native Americans volunteered to fight in the Great War. Although Native Americans have been an integral part of our country long before its birth, Native American veterans weren’t awarded citizenship and voting rights until 1919. In 1924, voting rights were extended to all Native Americans after the Snyder Act was passed. In World War II, 44,000 fought with distinction, including 1,910 in the Navy and 874 in the Marines. For the Navy, two Oklahoma Cherokees distinguished themselves. Rear Admiral Joseph J. “Jocko” Clark commanded aircraft carriers and later a task force. Commander Ernest E. Evans was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle off Samar, Philippines.  

Between 10,000 and 15,000 Native Americans fought in the Korean War and more than 42,000 during Vietnam. In 1966, South Carolina Cherokee Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class James E. Williams, while serving at South Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, killed an unknown number of enemy forces while destroying 65 vessels and disrupting an enemy logistic operation. Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the three-hour battle against Viet Cong guerrillas with the two riverine patrol boats he commanded.  

In the early 1970s, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt sought to reduce racism and sexism in both the Navy and Marine Corps with Z-Gram #66 (Equal Opportunity) which benefited Native Americans immensely. Rear Admiral Michael L. Holmes and Commander John B. Herrington are notable examples of the new opportunities for Native Americans as a result of Zumwalt’s Z-Gram. Holmes served 32 years as a naval aviator, and Herrington flew for the Navy and later NASA, becoming the first enrolled member of an Native American tribe to fly in space.

As of March 2012, active duty Native American military members numbered 22,248, with over half, 13,511, in the Navy. More than 160,000 Native Americans call themselves veterans today. Approximately, 15,000 active duty, reserve, and civilian members of the Navy’s total force declare themselves Native American or Alaska native. In the twenty-first century the Navy’s leadership remains strongly committed to diversity.

***** 

Historical Perspectives

Native Americans Sailors in World War I: Wartime Graduates of Carlisle Indian Industrial School, an essay by Kati Engel, NHHC Communication and Outreach Division

Notable Native Americans in the U.S. Navy 

Select U.S. Navy Ships Named in Honor of Native Americans

Marine Corps Navajo Code Talkers: Native Americans in Our Sister Sea Service

Further Reading 


Graphic commemorating Native Americans and Native Alaskans in the U.S. Navy entitled "Charting a Course into the Future"

Graphics and Support Products


Family Drum

Jacksonville, FL (Nov. 22, 2006) - USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Command Master Chief Carl L. Dassance pounds on a ceremonial drum during a Native American and Alaskan Heritage celebration. Dassance, who belongs to the Ojibwa tribe, is also a member of the Native American organization, Family Drum, which acknowledges their heritage by playing their ceremonial drum weekly to honor Native Americans who serve in the Armed Forces. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Nathan L. Anderson. 061121-N-6159N-001
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Published: Tue Nov 14 13:19:50 EST 2023