The Coolidge examiner., 1932-11-04
ODIS LEADER

October Sth 1918, he bravely conducted pa
troll under heavy fire. During the night he
made a reconnaissance close to the enSmy, of
the position which his section was to occupy
in the front, and returning conducted IL to that
position
"Such heroism is understood by mans com
rades more than can be explained in writing as
during time Of stress, the one who does what
Saunders did does II with no thought of self
but only OF carrying out to the best of his abil-
ity what he believes his duty to be. In my
close contacts during and since the World war,
with Saunders / can state that everything he
does is a bit better and with more energy than
other men of equal physique would do the same
thing
During the World war; Saunders served with
valor at Chateau Thierry and was evacuated
from there. He served at st. Mlhlel; Blanc
Mont (Champagne), where again he was evacu-
ated wounded, and in Germany during the occu-
patton of the Second division.
He received the Distinguished Service cross
for his valorous conduct on October Sth 1918,
and the Croix de Guerre with Palm for his
valorous conduct on September u, 1918"
And this man is a Cheyenne of which tribe
Mooney, famous ethnologist, says, 'They are
proud, contentious, and brave TO desperation"
Saunders Is worthy of his beloved people.
The Croix de Guerre, awarded for gallant ac-
ton in war, decorates fine representation from
various tribes. Among them are Ordnance Sergt.
James NJ Gordon, a Chippewa, who re-
celved this honor for rescuing while under shell
fire lieutenant of the French army, who was
wounded while on an inspection tour; Chester
Armstrong Fourbear, Sioux, who was cited for
bravery in swift running as a messenger at
Bellicourt; John Harper, Ute; Thomas D.
Saunders Cheyenne; Marty Beaver, Creek, and
Nicholas f. Brown Choctaw who was killed in
action He a corporal in the One Hundred
and Forty-second infantry composed largely of
Oklahoma Indians), and was posthumously
awarded the medal.
The Crow tribe proudly speak Of Joe Schen-
derleon, who was given the Distinguished
Service medal as well as the Croix de Guerre
A Seneca-Modoc, Bert Hayman, also received
the French medal and among the Pueblos are
Indian joe" Na-Hiv-A-Ta, a Hopi, to whom
was awarded the Distinguished Service medal
and Gus Gertez, a Pueblo bugler, who has the
Croix de Guerre.
Four tribes were represented in the ceremo-
MES at the burial of the Unknown Soldier in Ar
lington cemetery. (What if this Unknown was
an Indian? Perhaps he, too, follows the great
warpath in the Happy Hunting Grounds y
WhIrlwind Soldier and Red Owl, Pine Ridge
Sioux, and Stranger Horse, from the Rosebud
reservation, Lone WOlI, Il hlOWd, anu fleHIy
Coups a Crow chief, assisted in the ceremonies
Thomas D. Saunders, whose story was told
above, was one of the pall-bearers.
Joseph Takes the Shield, Sioux, and Ray
Red Fox, Chippewa, are also at rest in Airing
ton. Ancient foes, these nations but their chill
dren buried the hatchet that they might further
the cause of their allied country, and now they
are honored together for their devotion. Their
warpath ended in everlasting peace.
There is something strange and little pa
thetic in the thought of American Indian sol
diers, so far from all they had ever known, en-
during hardshps, danger and death .(fOr over
200 bring up the rear of that glorious parade
IN the Happy Hunting Grounds). with that ad-
mrable stoicism for which they are famous.
Today as Old Glory floats serenely in the
sunlight over a deserted warpath, Negwagon's
words come back to us. Seventeen thousand
fighting Indians have proved them true:
1.-The Indian is the friend of the American
He has but one flag and one heart: If you take
the one you shall take the other"
(G by Western Newspaper Unionl