Tag: Rex Pooyouma

Honoring Arizona’s Hopi Code Talkers Ceremony – May 23, 2011

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Hopis in Military3 Comments

MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT: SCOTT HANSON   602-903-8501

WHAT:

Honoring Arizona ’s Hopi Code Talkers Ceremony.

Families of the 10 Hopi Code Talkers will be recognized and honored for their service during World War II in the United States Army and the United States Army Air Corps.

Speakers will include:  Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, Sen. Jack Jackson, Jr., (D-Window Rock), Colonel Joey Strickland, Director, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, along with Hopi Tribe Chairman LeRoy R. Shingoitewa, Hopi Vice Chairman Herman Honanie, VaNiesha Honani, U.S. Navy veteran & granddaughter of Code Talker Perry Honani, Sr.,  Clifford Qotsaquahu, a U.S. Army veteran, and Bruce Talawyma, U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

WHO:

The Hopi Code Talkers are:

United States Army

·              Franklin Shupla

·              Warren Koiyaquaptewa

·              Frank Chapella

·              Travis Yaiva

·              Charles Lomakema

·              Percival Navenma

·              Perry Honani, Sr.

·              Floyd Dann, Sr.

United States Army Air Corps

·              Rex Pooyouma

·              Orville Wadsworth
WHEN:

Monday, May 23, 2011

10 a.m. to noon. (MST)

WHERE:

Hopi Veterans’ Memorial Center

From Flagstaff : Take Highway 89A North to Townsend-Winona Street . Turn right and proceed about 10 miles to Leupp Road; turn left and continue north another 31 miles to the Kykotsmovi turn off (just past the Little Colorado River Bridge); continue north 48 miles to Kykotsmovi. Approximately 92 miles from Flagstaff . At junction turn right and continue approximately 5 miles on Highway 264 to Hopi Veterans’ Memorial Center .

From Tuba City : Take Highway 264 East approximately 55 miles to Kykotsmovi. Continue approximately 5 miles on Highway 264 to Hopi Veterans’ Memorial Center .

From Winslow: Take Highway 87 North approximately 60 miles to Second Mesa turnoff. At junction Hwy 264 & Highway 87, turn left and continue approximately 15 miles to Hopi Veterans Memorial Center.

Hopi Code Talker Rex Pooyouma

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn American Indian Studies, Hopi history, Hopis in Military2 Comments

Today, as we consider the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, I want to take a moment and remember Hopis who served their village communities and the United States in World War II. One of these individuals was Rex Pooyouma from the village of Hotevilla on Third Mesa. During the War, Mr. Pooyouma served in the Native American Code Talker Communications Network. He was one of at least 10 Hopi code talkers who used their language to transmit critical messages that saved the lives of countless people and helped to end the War.

In November 1945, Mr. Pooyouma received an honorable discharge from the military at the rank of Private First Class.  He was a decorated soldier and earned several medals, including the American Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, and a Bronze Star. In October of this year, Mr. Pooyouma, the last known surviving Hopi code talker, passed away at the age of 93. He will always be remembered as a hero among our people and one who ventured beyond the Hopi mesas to serve his community and nation.

For more information on Mr. Pooyouma’s involvement in World War II and his role as a Hopi code talker, please visit the following website: http://nhonews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=12971

Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert