North American Indians in the Great War (Studies in War, Society, and the Military)

More than twelve thousand American Indians served in the United States military in World War I, even though many were not U.S. citizens and did not enjoy the benefits of enfranchisement. Using the words of the veterans themselves, as collected by Joseph K. Dixon (1856–1926), North American Indians in the Great War presents the experiences of American Indian veterans during World War I and after their return home. Dixon, a photographer, author, and Indian rights advocate, had hoped that documenting American Indian service in the military would aid the Indian struggle to obtain general U.S. citizenship. Dixon managed to document nearly a quarter of the Indians who had served but was unable to complete his work, and his records languished unexamined until now. Unlike other sources of information on Indian military service collected by government officials, Dixon’s records come primarily from the veterans themselves. Their comments reveal pride in upholding an Indian tradition of military service as well as frustration with the U.S. government. Particularly in its immediacy and individuality, Dixon’s documentation of American Indian veterans of World War I adds greatly to our understanding of the experiences of American Indians in the U.S. military. (20080218) More Than Twelve Thousand American Indians Served In The United States Military In World War I, Even Though Many Were Not U.s. Citizens And Did Not Enjoy The Benefits Of Enfranchisement. Using The Words Of The Veterans Themselves, As Collected By Joseph K. Dixon (1856-1926), North American Indians In The Great War Presents The Experiences Of American Indian Veterans During World War I And After Their Return Home. Dixon, A Photographer, Author, And Indian Rights Advocate, Had Hoped That Documenting American Indian Service In The Military Would Aid The Indian Struggle To Obtain General U.s. Citizenship. Dixon Managed To Document Nearly A Quarter Of The Indians Who Had Served But Was Unable To Complete His Work, And His Records Languished Unexamined Until Now. Unlike Other Sources Of Information On Indian Military Service Collected By Government Officials, Dixon's Records Come Primarily From The Veterans Themselves. Their Comments Reveal Pride In Upholding An Indian Tradition Of Military Service As Well As Frustration With The U.s. Government. Particularly In Its Immediacy And Individuality, Dixon's Documentation Of American Indian Veterans Of World War I Adds Greatly To Our Understanding Of The Experiences Of American Indians In The U.s. Military. Serving For Duty And Justice -- Battlefield Experiences Around The World -- On The Front Lines As Scouts And Runners -- Killed In Action And Other Casualties Of War -- Noncombat Service -- Proud To Be A Warrior -- The Discouraging Return Home -- Soldiers But Not Citizens. Susan Applegate Krouse ; Photographs And Original Documentation By Joseph K. Dixon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [235]-239) And Index. Title Page......Page 4 Copyright Page......Page 5 Table of Contents......Page 8 List of Illustrations......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Introduction......Page 14 1. Serving for Duty and Justice......Page 30 2. Battlefield Experiences around the World......Page 48 3. On the Front Lines as Scouts and Runners......Page 79 4. Killed in Action and Other Casualties of War......Page 93 5. Noncombat Service......Page 110 6. Proud to Be a Warrior......Page 131 7. The Discouraging Return Home......Page 156 8. Soldiers but Not Citizens......Page 177 Afterword......Page 188 Appendix......Page 202 Notes......Page 222 Bibliography......Page 258 Index......Page 264 More than twelve thousand American Indians served in the United States military in World War I, even though many were not US citizens and did not enjoy the benefits of enfranchisement. Using the words of the veterans themselves, this work presents the experiences of American Indian veterans during World War I and after their return home.