Fort Worth Celebrates Choctaw Code Talkers Historical Marker

Members of the Fort Worth community and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma gathered for the unveiling of a Texas Historical Marker honoring the Choctaw Code Talkers at Veterans Memorial Park on Wednesday.

The city marked the event with an April 2 blog post. According to the post, the event was organized by Fort Worth Park & Recreation in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

The ceremony brought together tribal leaders, military representatives, elected officials, and community members to recognize Choctaw soldiers who used their native language during World War I to transmit coded messages. This service gave U.S. forces a critical advantage.

"This marker ensures the story of the Choctaw Code Talkers is preserved and shared with future generations," said Park & Recreation Director Dave Lewis. "Their service, ingenuity, and sacrifice deserve to be remembered."

Speakers included Choctaw Code Talkers Association President Nuchi Nashoba; City Council Member Macy Hill; Texas Historical Commissioner Catherine McKnight; Col. Brent Kemp of the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton.

The ceremony featured a closing blessing by Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr., as well as a flag ceremony by the Arlington Heights High School JROTC.

At the end of the event, the historical marker was unveiled. Residents can view a video of the entire ceremony on the City of Fort Worth's YouTube channel.

Learn more details about the group of 19 Choctaw soldiers who first used their language as code to transmit military messages nearly a century ago on the Choctaw Nation website.