Code Talkers Recognition Congressional Medals Program: Cherokee Nation (Oklahoma)

Medals-Code Talkers

Background

The Program

The Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to strike Congressional Medals in recognition of the dedication and valor of Native American code talkers to the U.S. Armed Services during World War I and World War II. “Code talkers” refers to those Native Americans who used their tribal languages as a means of secret communication during wartime.

Under the Act, unique gold medals are struck for each Native American tribe that had a member who served as a code talker. Silver duplicate medals are presented to the specific code talkers, their next of kin, or other personal representatives. In addition, bronze duplicates are available for sale to the public.

The Navajo Nation was awarded Congressional Gold Medals in 2001 under Public Law 106-554.

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Characteristics

Obverse

The obverse design features a code talker communicating on a field phone and writing in the Cherokee language.

Reverse

The reverse design features a variation of the Cherokee Nation seal.

Obverse Inscriptions

  • CHEROKEE NATION
  • CODE TALKERS (in Cherokee Syllabary and English)

Reverse Inscriptions

  • WORLD WAR I
  • WORLD WAR II
  • ACT OF CONGRESS 2008

Mint and Mint Mark

Artist Information

Obverse Reverse Content last reviewed June 1, 2016

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