In June, Dr. William Meadows, alongside 18 members of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association, visited France to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and join in a ceremony on Utah Beach to honor the Comanche Code Talkers.

Meadows is a professor of anthropology and Native American studies in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology at Missouri State University. He was recently appointed to the editorial board of the American Indian Quarterly.

Meadows discusses unique role of Native Americans in war

Meadows presented “Native American Code Talkers in Europe in World War II” at a conference during the celebration.

Code talkers were Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces. They used their tribal languages to send secure military messages during World Wars I and II, Meadows explained. This was faster than existing coding technology and gave the American forces a unique advantage.

The conference, an annual observance to commemorate D-Day, took place at the Chateau d’Audrieu, located in the heart of the Normandy countryside.

“D-Day describes the Allied invasion at Normandy in 1944 to liberate western Europe and bring an end to the Nazi Reich and the European Theater of WW II,” Meadows said.

In his speech, he noted that many people remain unaware of the unique role Native Americans played in both world wars.

“Despite the American government’s attempts to suppress their languages, Native Americans used these very languages to send secure military messages that saved countless lives,” Meadows said.

“The French are more aware of the war and its impacts on their home villages and families because the invasion occurred in villages throughout Normandy,” Meadows continued. “Many express gratitude to Americans, British and Canadians whose ancestors liberated them. They’re also increasingly learning about the presence and role of the code talkers.”

The Utah Beach ceremony

Meadows described his visit to Utah Beach as a highlight of the trip.

“At Utah Beach, you’ll find the Musée du Débarquement (the Utah Beach Landing Museum). It was built over the remains of a German defense point that U.S. soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division captured on June 6, 1944, during D-Day invasion,” Meadows said.

Specifically, the beach ceremony allowed groups to share stories about how their ancestors served to help free France and other European countries from the Nazi regime.

“During the ceremony, a group member led a prayer for the code talkers,” Meadows said. “Then, we sang a Comanche Memorial Song and the Comanche Code Talker Song. After that, everyone shared tobacco, sacred in native cultures and often used in prayers.”

“Each person went to the water’s edge, offered prayers and put the tobacco into the ocean. Some people took pictures and collected sand to take home. As one descendant said, ‘It’s the sand our fathers fought on.'”

Experience enhances education and outreach

Meadows said this experience will add to his research on Native American code talkers and enhance the courses he teaches on the subject. It will also enrich his presentations at MSU — in classes and during Native American Heritage Month — and at local civic groups and other educational institutions.

“Since I’m often invited to speak about my research across the nation, and now in France, this experience and my work help bring MSU to other communities and countries,” Meadows said.

“By doing so, it helps promote MSU’s anthropology program, while supporting the university’s commitment to public engagement, global citizenship, knowledge preservation and diversity.”

Learn more about Meadows’ research

Photos provided by William Meadows.