American Indians in the US Army

Nathaniel Bearsheart, part of a local, multigenerational Native American family dance group, performs a hoop dance during the National Native American Heritage Month observance Nov. 27, 2017, at the Elkhorn Conference Center, Fort Carson, Colorado. During the dance, he created various designs, to include mother earth, eagle and wrangler, with up to 14 hoops at one time. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)

Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, March 3, 2008, for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” during the Korean War.

Col. Shawn E. Klawunder, First Army’s chief of staff, presents a plaque to Retired Maj. Jo Ann Schedler, a member of the Mohican Nation, at a National Native American Heritage Month observance at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, Nov. 21, 2016. Schedler was commissioned as an officer in the Army Nurse Corps Reserves and is a founding member of the Mohican Veterans. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ian M. Kummer, First Army Public Affairs)

U.S. Army Col. Jeff Worthington, commander of 2nd Theater Signal Brigade, presents a certificate of appreciation to members of the Indian and Mountain Men Club of Wiesbaden following their cultural song and dance exhibition at the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden National Native American Heritage Month celebration and observance Nov. 21, 2017, at the Exchange in the Hainerberg Housing Area, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by William B. King)

Children sing a traditional Native American song during the U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command National Native American Heritage Month event, hosted by both command's Equal Opportunity directorates, at the U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command headquarters, Nov. 18, 2015. The event recognized three members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the tribe's contributions to America and the nation's history. (U.S. Army photo by Timothy L. Hale)

Michael Pahsetopah, world champion Indian Fancy Dancer, plays a flute during the USACE Tulsa District's National Native American Heritage Month observance Nov. 7, 2016 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mills)

Spc. Lori Ann Piestewa, a Hopi Native American and the first female Soldier killed in action in Operation Iraqi Freedom, was assigned to the 507th Maintenance Company stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.

A member of the Indian and Mountain Men Club of Wiesbaden performs a traditional Native American song and dance at the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden National Native American Heritage Month celebration and observance Nov. 21, 2017 at the Exchange in the Hainerberg Housing Area, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by William B. King)

Denise Wickson shares her family history with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division in observance of National Native American Heritage Month, Nov. 21, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Jay Townsend)

Army Navajo code talkers during WWII, front row, left to right: Roderick Red Elk, Simmons Parker, Larry Saupitty, Melvin Permansu, Willie Yackeschi, Charles Chibitty and Willington Mihecoby. Back Row, left to right: Morris Sunrise, Perry Noyebad, Ralph Wahnee, Haddon Codynah, Robert Holder, Albert Nahquaddy, Clifford Ototivo and Forrest Kassanavoid. (Not pictured: Elgin Red Elk and Anthony Tabbytite).

Army Comanche code talkers of the 4th Signal Company during WWII.

Ramona Moore Big Eagle, oral historian and legend keeper, poses with her drum in front of her display at the NCO Academy to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month Nov. 29, 2017, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (Photo by Pfc. Audrianna Arellano)

Left to right, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Balis, the command sergeant major of 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division, Staff Sgt. Tennyson R. Kerchee, the guest speaker of National Native American Heritage Month observance and awardee, Lt. Col. Joey L. Errington, the battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Erick R. Macher, the command sergeant major of 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division take a group photo in Casey Theater, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, Nov. 28, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Keonhee Lee)

Having just fastened a Silver Star on the uniform of Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye (right) from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, commander of U.S. Army Africa, presents Begaye with an official citation during a ceremony on June 30, 2009. Begaye was awarded the Silver Star for his valorous actions during an enemy ambush Nov. 9, 2007, in the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye stands before rows of fellow Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, during a ceremony on June 30, 2009. Begaye was awarded the Silver Star for his valorous actions during an enemy ambush Nov. 9, 2007, in the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan.