WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley today said that he is working to ensure that Meskwaki Code Talkers are awarded Commemorative Gold Medals for their service to the United States during World War II.
Grassley is an original co-sponsor of legislation in the U.S. Senate that would authorize Congress to present gold medals to Native Americans who served as Code Talkers during foreign conflicts in which the United States was involved during the 20th century. The bill was introduced today.
"The codetalkers were the difference between life and death for many American soldiers. They were such an important part of the war effort," Grassley said. "The sacrifices that these brave people made should not be forgotten. We’re going to make every effort ensure that this doesn’t happen."
In 2000, Congress voted to give congressional gold medals to the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers who developed a code used in World War II. Because of the secret nature of their mission, Native American Code Talkers had not previously received public recognition for their efforts.
Grassley said that it's only right to award medals to the other tribes that had Code Talkers in the war effort. He also said that the legislation specifically mentions the names of the members of the Meskwaki Tribe who were Code Talkers during World War II.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
-30-