Code talkers—those who used their Indigenous languages to create an unbreakable code during World War II—were among the U.S. Army’s troops that stormed and retook beaches along France’s coast on June 6, 1944, during one of the bloodiest battles of the war. In recognition of the 80th anniversary of this D-Day, members of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association (CIVA) returned to Utah Beach this past June to honor their relatives who fought—and the many who died—in the assault.
This past June, descendants of the Comanche code talkers honored their relatives who fought on D-Day during World War II at one of the battle’s sites, Utah Beach in France.
Photo: William Meadows
This was the third time descendants of the Comanche code talkers had made the journey to the beaches during the past 10 years. After moving to Tilly-sur-Seulles and becoming curator of the local museum, Stéphan Jacquet founded Tilly 1944, a local history association dedicated to honoring those who fought in this battle. Jacquet first invited the descendants of the Comanche code talkers to participate in the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day in 2014. During each of their visits, Jacquet, Tilly 1944 members and local families hosted members of CIVA in their homes.
The CIVA members prayed together and sang a Memorial Song and the Comanche Code Talker Song. They then walked to the shoreline to offer prayers and place tobacco into the waves as they hit the shore. Many of the Comanche relatives spoke of feeling the presence of troops who landed there, particularly the code talkers. Nona Gail Mihecoby said she sensed her father, code talker Wellington Mihecoby, was with her, commenting, “It is so elating when you can feel that presence and you turn around and look out there … in the water, where they were trying to get to the beach.”
CIVA officer Kevin Pohawpatchoko said, “We’re doing our best to make sure that the history of our code talkers and their contributions are never forgotten.”