Comanche County, Oklahoma - Comanche Indian Veterans Association (CIVA) - Veterans Court of Honor Memorial

The Comanche Indian Veterans Association (CIVA), established a complex of memorials to honor Comanche Nation warriors, past and present, who have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States. Beginning sometime in the early to mid- 1980’s until 1993, the CIVA placed 6 upright reddish granite pillars, each mounted on a thick reddish granite base, and arranged in a circle cluster, on a concrete stand, on the grounds of the Comanche Tribal Complex. The pillars were titled “Comanche Warriors” and incised with the name, rank, Branch of Service (BOS), and inclusive years of service, of Comanche veterans. The site was named the CIVA Court of Honor. In May, 2004, the Court was expanded and rearranged by adding a broader handicap accessible walkway, realigning and increasing the spacing between pillars for the original pillars, and adding 2 new “Comanche Warriors” pillars which added names and service information for additional Comanche veterans. The Court has been periodically expanded, to include a “Numu Pukutsi” pillar which lists 24 Comanche warriors who have been decorated for gallantry, heroism, or valor, on the front face. On the rear face is a listing of 60 warriors who were Killed In Action (KIA), or Wounded In Action (WIA). Currently (2018), the Court has a total of 13 pillars, with 12 pillars, arranged in 2 parallel files, along the outer perimeter of the long, rectangular concrete courtyard, and 1 pillar at the center-front (south) of the 2 parallel files. The 13 pillars, also known as dyes, plus a Comanche Code Talker Memorial, 2 benches, a “Walk of Flags,” as well as the adjacent grounds, define the Court of Honor. A total of some 1280 names are listed, including 13 fallen warriors, and 6 Prisoners of War (POW), on the 13 pillars. The latest change to the Court took place in October, 2017 when a 5-foot by 62-foot sidewalk was added to the west edge of the display area. In addition, 6 flagpoles were placed and spaced along the west edge of the new walk. The Oklahoma, U.S. Army (USA), U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), U.S. Navy (USN), U.S. Air Force (USAF), and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Flags are flown continuously in honor of Comanche veterans. Lighting is provided to properly illuminate the Walk of Flags during the hours of darkness. CIVA provides the funds for periodic flag replacement to assure they are fit for display, and properly honor the memory of Comanche warriors. A large sign, on the southwest periphery of the Court, at the junction of 2 main walkways, names and introduces the display to visitors approaching from the main parking area on the west. The primary entry to the Court, from the sign, is east up the walkway some 20 yards to a break in the trees on the left (north). This south entry point is bordered by trees, rocks and plantings, and opens to a beautiful park-like setting with a grassy lawn and trees, and an impressive array of memorials and monuments. The view is stunning with an imposing bronze memorial to Comanche World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII) Code Talkers in the foreground and a series of 13 vertical granite pillars aligned in the background. The Comanche Code Talker Memorial “Spirit Talker” features two life-size bronze statues, mounted on a large, rectangular tan stand, some 4 feet high. The statues depict a Comanche Code Talker, in WWII battle uniform, sitting on an ammunition box and talking on a field telephone, and a stylized figure of a Comanche warrior of the past, behind the soldier, holding a lance in one hand and talking, past his other hand, over the soldier’s shoulder. The upper torso of the warrior is clearly human in nature, but the lower torso is like a wisp or trail of smoke. The symbolism is that of a spirit warrior of the past, watching over and guiding the way for brother warriors of the future. The stand elevates the sculptures dramatically for viewing. Attached in front of the stand, is a smaller, tan, angled, podium-like stand, which mounts a raised bronze plaque. The plaque names the Memorial, gives background information on the Comanche Code Talkers and their battle history, accomplishments, and awards, and the date of dedication of the Memorial. On the left (west) face of the large stand is the Seal of the Comanche Nation and the pictures of 14 WWII Code Talkers. On the right (east) face are pictures of 5 WWI and 3 WWII Code Talkers. On the rear (north) face is a bronze marker of another WWII Comanche Code Talker. Above the marker is a small engraved plate which provides a brief biography of the individual. Two benches are positioned in front (south) of the Memorial for resting and viewing purposes. Directly behind (north) of the Code Talker Memorial, is the first of 13 vertical granite pillars, which stands independently in center-front of two files of the remaining pillars. The Monument is titled “Veterans of the Comanche Nation.” It is a tall, raised, rectangular gray granite pillar, set on a thick, rectangular gray granite slab, with polished top and rough chiseled sides, in the middle of a wide concrete walkway. The Monument has polished granite surfaces on the front and rear faces, while the sides are rough chiseled. All pillars in the Court are the same, with respect to their mounting and surfaces. The Monument was donated and dedicated by the wife of a Comanche Tribal veteran, is engraved with the Seal of the Tribe and the following wording: On the front face is: “This Monument was donated and is dedicated to the veterans of the Comanche Nation in honor of MSGT (Master Sergeant) Albert Clark Jr. USAF Retired 1951-72 and veteran of the Vietnam War by his wife.” There follows a listing of 10 “Fallen Warriors” and highlights of their service and sacrifice, including their rank, unit of assignment, BOS, war service period, and KIA/Died of Wounds date. All the individuals were enlisted men; 8 were USA personnel, and 2 were USMC members; 8 died during WWII, and 2 died during the Vietnam War. On the rear face is incised a listing of 6 “Prisoners of War”, 1 “Missing in Action”, 1 “Died of Non-Hostile” causes, and 1 “Fallen Warrior.” The POW list includes the same service information as listed on the front face, and the inclusive dates of their incarceration as a POW. A total of 5 POWs were enlisted men and 1 was a commissioned officer; 4 were members of the USA, and 2 served with the Army Air Forces (AAF); 5 served in WWII, and 1 during the Korean War, who died while in captivity; and the length of their captivity ranged from some 107-1222 days. The MIA was a WWII and Korean War commissioned officer veteran, who likely died in a non-hostile aircraft crash at sea, during the Korean War, and was declared MIA. His status was later changed, and he was declared dead. His body is the only Comanche warrior’s never recovered. Another veteran listed was a WWII noncommissioned officer, who died as a result of non-hostile action during the war. The “Fallen Warrior” was a USMC enlisted man who was KIA in Iraq during the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The remaining 12 pillars are basically the same in size, style, mounting and display. There is a variance in the color of the granite, with 4, at the front of the display, having a reddish hue and the other 8, arrayed behind, being gray. Also, the titles and decorative etchings on 2 are different. Of course, the incised listings of warrior names vary. The 12 pillars are arranged in 2 files along the outside of the wide concrete center walkway. Pillars are aligned front to back, and side to side with the adjacent file. The current configuration has evolved over time as new pillars were added. The listing of names is typically alphabetical on individual “Comanche Warrior” pillars and generally so among other pillars. The pillars are not grouped alphabetically in sequence from the first (front) to last (rear) pillar. Grouping of like-colored granite pillars contribute to that in part, as does the introduction of additional pillars to recognize new veterans and service periods. Exceptions to alphabetical listings would also include monuments which feature special categories, such as campaigns, KIA-MIA-POW status, and award of individual Decorations. Veterans etched on the front and back of pillars are members of the Comanche Nation who served honorably in conflicts from the Apache Campaign, in the Indian Wars, to the current GWOT era. The listing of names includes the type service information described above. There currently (2018), are 10 pillars titled “Comanche Warriors.” One reddish pillar, at the right front (southeast) of the pillar display, with that title is unique, in that it features special groupings of veterans, and provides additional service information. Included are 3 individuals cited for valor, 1 wounded warrior, 1 veteran of the Spanish-American War, 5 WWI code talkers, and 16 members of Troop L, 17th Cavalry. The names of those associated with the 17th Cavalry, are engraved in their native language, or by the name they were known by, during their service. Another gray pillar, titled “Numu Pukutsi,” which translates from the Comanche language to “Gallantry, Heroism, Valor,” is positioned at the left rear (northwest) of the pillar display, and is also unique. The front face records individual Decorations for valor, including: 1 USA soldier awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for actions in WWI; 4 individuals (3 USA, and 1 USMC) awarded the Silver Star for actions in WWII (1), Korean War (1), and Vietnam War (2); 3 airmen (2 USAF, and 1 AAF) awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions in WWII (2), and the Cold War (1); 1 USA soldier awarded the Soldier’s Medal for actions in Vietnam; 1 member of the USMC awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal; 6 individuals (4 USA, and 2 USMC) awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) with bronze letter “V” (for combat valor) device, for actions in WWII (1), and Vietnam (5); 4 individuals (2 USMC, and 2 USA) awarded their respective Service Commendation Medal with bronze letter “V” (for combat valor) device, for actions in Korea (1), and Vietnam (3); 4 Marines awarded their Service Achievement Medal with bronze letter “V” (for combat valor) device, for actions in Vietnam (2), and Iraq-GWOT (2); and 2 Marines recognized by the Tribe for having fought and killing the enemy, in hand-to-hand combat in Vietnam. On the rear face of the “Numu Pukutsi,” Monument are listed 60 wounded warriors, together with their service period. Represented are the WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan (GWOT) war service periods, and the Cold War era. A third gray pillar, titled “Comanche Warriors,” located at the right rear (northeast) of the pillar display, is unique in that it introduces, on the front face, “Numu Pukitsi” and names: 1 USA recipient of the Silver Star for actions in Vietnam; 1 USA recipient of the BSM with bronze letter “V” (for combat valor) device, Army Commendation Medal with bronze letter “V” (for combat valor) device, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Star, for actions in Vietnam; and 1 USA recipient of the BSM with bronze letter “V” device for actions in Vietnam. The front face also introduces 1 USMC “Nnumu Wounded Warrior” who served in Vietnam, 1 USA soldier who served in the Spanish-American War, 5 USA WWI Code Talkers, and then, begins an alphabetical listing of other veterans, representing the 5 Branches of the Military, as well as service in the Oklahoma National Guard, and their inclusive years of service. The rear face continues with the alphabetical list.