Interesting facts!✨
Photo 1 Barney Old Coyote Jr flew 72 missions using the Crow language to talk to his brother as code language. The Germans couldn’t figure out what language it was because they had never heard it before. It gave the Americans a strong advantage. He is one of the most highly respected and decorated veterans and became an advocate and speaker for Native American culture and history. His brother Henry, “Hank” Drew Old Coyote were the best of all windtalkers aka code talkers. There’s a movie called Windtalkers and it’s based on the Navajo code talkers used to confuse the Japanese. No one has ever been able to crack Native American code.
Photo 2 Is the definition of patriotic heroism. Doris Miller didn’t think of anything other than jumping into action saving as many of his brothers as he could while bringing down as many enemy planes as possible. He was driven! This is a man who loved his country and his military family as much as his own family. And in his heart they were worth fighting for. So many great people have given their lives for us to live in a country where we have more freedom than anywhere else. Doris was the first African American recipient of the Navy Cross. He died when a Japanese submarine torpedoed his ship USS Liscome Bay.
His awards he earned. Navy Cross, Combat Action Ribbon, WW2 Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal - He is someone everyone should aspire to be like. A true hero who fought for the country he believed in and loved and fought for fellow brothers in arms and his family.
The first two photos were men who fought for a country that they saw a future in. Sadly the young generation these days live in the past and only the worst parts. When the actual people who lived through those times fought for a better life because they wanted a better future. Those men are true warriors!
Photo 3 Greg The Grim Reaper Scarpa is by far one of my top favorites of all gangsters in the mafia. He used the FBI and still ran his usual rackets & shylock with the Colombo family. When 3 civil rights activists went missing in Mississippi the FBI had had it with the KKK. They knew that the group killed the boys and they were out of ways to get information because nobody in the town would talk out of fear. So they sent Scarpa to make someone talk. Greg acted like a guy who wanted to buy a tv. He went to the only electronics store ran by a known member of the klan. He (Greg)asked the guy for help getting the tv in his van. When Greg opened the van door he grabbed something and knocked the guy out tied him up and drove to a remote cabin the feds told him to use. Then Scarpa went to work on this guy doing what he did best being an enforcer since he was 17 he knew how to make someone talk. They found the boys. There are movies about this but I prefer documentaries. Mississippi Burning is one movie I can’t remember the others.
What truly stood out to me in these stories is the incredible bravery and intelligence involved, especially with Barney Old Coyote Jr. and his use of the Crow language as an unbreakable code. As highlighted, the Germans never deciphered it because they had never encountered the language before, which gave the Americans a critical advantage in WWII. This reminds me how indigenous cultures have contributed so much to the war effort, often unrecognized, and how language can be a powerful tool beyond just communication. Doris Miller’s story is a vivid example of spontaneous courage. An untrained mess attendant, he jumped into action during the Pearl Harbor attack, manned a .50-caliber gun, and saved many lives. The fact that he became the first African American to receive the Navy Cross speaks volumes about overcoming racial barriers during such a turbulent time. Stories like his encourage us to appreciate the diverse individuals who fought bravely for freedom, often putting their lives on the line for their country and their comrades. Lastly, the involvement of Gregory Scarpa, a mafia enforcer turned FBI asset to combat the Ku Klux Klan’s terror, adds another layer to the story of civil rights activism. His unique way of extracting information highlights the complexity and sometimes unexpected alliances in the fight for justice. It’s chilling to consider how fear silenced many, and how people like Scarpa played an unorthodox yet pivotal role. These stories collectively paint a picture of courage, cultural significance, and the harsh realities faced during some of the most challenging periods in US history. They also make me think about how these historic events are portrayed in films and documentaries differently—documentaries often provide a raw, more nuanced understanding compared to dramatized versions like "Windtalkers" or "Mississippi Burning". Understanding these narratives enriches our view of history beyond textbooks and highlights the importance of acknowledging all those who contributed to shaping our society. It’s a reminder that heroism comes in many forms, from language warriors and unyielding soldiers to shadowy figures working for justice behind the scenes.
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