Dr. William Meadows, professor of anthropology, spoke at the Veteran’s Recognition dinner Nov. 9 at the Acoma Community Center for the Pueblo of Acoma Pueblo, one hour west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A portion of Meadows’ research focuses on Native American Code Talkers from over 30 tribes that have used their native language in the United State Military during World Wars I and II.

As a part of the Code Talker Recognition Act of 2008, which Meadows’ research and testimony helped to pass, late Sgt. Paul R. Histia was recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal in 2013. Histia was in a radio net of Native American Code Talkers from several tribes in the Army Air Corps, V Bomb Command, during World War II. Histia and other Native Americans used their native languages to conduct bomb raids throughout New Guinea and the Philippines.