Lesson Seven

MILITARY RECORDS

Native Americans have served in all U.S. wars, sometimes on both sides (as in the War of 1812), but it isn't possible to document all service.

For service in World War I or II, or subsequent service, write to: National Personnel Records Center (Military Records), NARA, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, Mo 63132 Request form 180 from Inquire@arch2.nara.gov

WORLD WAR I

"The main reason citizenship was finally awarded to American Indians in 1924 was their outstanding service and patriotism during World War I. However, seventy-one years after the end of World War I, there has not been a single book written about the role of American Indians in that war."

"During World War I, unlike Blacks who had separate regiments, there was no offically recognized Indian company. Prior to the entry of the United States into the war, there had been much debate about the merits of separate Indian companies and it was proposed that Carlisle Indian Industrial School be made into an "Indian West Point." The War Department remained immovable on that issue.

"However, without official designation as Indians in War Department records, the Native Americans' accomplishments in World War I have gone largely unnoticed by historians. It has become virtually impossible to research the Indians' role in the war, since even Honorable Discharge papers for the First Word War do not give the race of the soldier who served."

"Some seventeen thousand American Indians served in the United States military, and two-thirds of this number volunteered. They were not subject to the Selective Service Act, since they were not U.S. citizens. One hundred fifty of these men won honors for distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty." If you have reason to believe one of your Michigan Native ancestors served in WWI write to the address above and request form 180.

Quotes from Researching and Writing Tribal Histories by Duane Kendall Hale.

CIVIL WAR

Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters was a unique company due to the fact that it was made up of Native Americans. But before they could fight along with the Union army, these men had to fight to get into the army.

The Detroit Tribune of Nov. 30, 1861 asks "Shall the indians be armed? The question of arming the Indians is under discussion and its determination will probably be dependant upon the ascertained course of the rebels. The topic may be averted to in a report of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, that will contain the facts showing that the great majority of full-blooded Indians are loyal, while the rebels have worked with more success upon half-breeds."These feelings led to only 145 of Michigan's large Indian population serving during the Civil War.

By 1863 the feelings had changed as evident in the Detroit Free Press issue of 27 May 1863. "Indian Sharpshooters - This morning Colonel Smith went to Dearborn for the purpose of mustering twenty-three Indians into the Sharpshooter Regiment stationed at that place. These Indians were recruited near Saginaw, and are citizens of Michigan, not belonging to any tribe. Their superiority as Sharpshooters will be great, as they have been accustomed all their lives to daily practice with the rifle while hunting in the forests of Northern Michigan. They will also be able to endure camp life much better than those who have been accustomed to living in houses."

Names of men who served in Company K.
Use NATF Form 80 to request copies of the pension files (which contain the most genealogical data) and the military service records - prior to WWI. Request several copies of form 80 from Inquire@arch2.nara.gov

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