JULY 5, 2022

CHEROKEE DWIGHT BIRDWELL BECOMES THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN VIETNAM WAR MEDAL OF HONOR (MOH) RECIPIENT

Born in Amarillo, Texas, January 19, 1948, Birdwell grew up in Adair County, Oklahoma (OK). Enlisting in the Army in May 1966 and assigned to Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division, he earned a Silver Star on January 31, 1968. Arriving under fire at Tan Son Nhut Air Base during the Tet Offensive and with his tank commander wounded, Birdwell took command firing on the enemy until his ammunition ran out. He then manned a machine gun until it was damaged by enemy fire. Finally, he ran for ammunition while under fire. On July 4, 1968, while under fire, he earned a 2^nd Silver Star for evacuating wounded soldiers. He also earned a Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts. After the Army, Dwight attended Northeastern State University, and University of OK School of Law, graduating in 1976. A member of the Cherokee Judicial Appeals Tribunal (Supreme Court) from 1987 to 1999, he twice served as chief justice (1995-6 and 1998-9). Birdwell and 3 others received the MOH from President Biden.

Sources: 

“Specialist Five Dwight W. Birdwell,” Medal of Honor Recipient, U.S. Army.    Retrieved 4/22/2023, Specialist Five Dwight W. Birdwell | Medal of Honor Recipient | U.S. Army

Wikipedia

Photo:  U.S. Army, 7/6/2022.  Public Domain.