Mr. Speaker, this evening, I introduced H.R. 4744, legislation to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic to…
Mr. Speaker, this evening, I introduced H.R. 4744, legislation to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic to honor one of our nation's finest military heroes.
Ernest Childers holds the distinction of being the first Native American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic action in 1943 at the battle of Oliveto, Italy, when he charged German machine gun nests against machine gun fire. Although suffering a broken foot in the assault, Childers ordered covering fire and advanced up a hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun nests and capturing an enemy mortar observer. His courageous action helped American troops win the battle and save the lives of American soldiers. Childers was also awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his actions.
Born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Childers, enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard in 1937 to earn extra money while attending the
Chilocco Indian School in north-central Oklahoma. While stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, he was deployed to Africa to fight in World War II. Childers retired from the Army in 1965 as a Lieutenant Colonel but remained very active in the Tulsa community serving Indian youth, which led to the naming of a middle school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in his honor in 1985.
As a proud Creek Indian, in 1966, Childers was honored by the Tulsa Chapter of the Council of American Indians as ``Oklahoma's most outstanding Indian.'' Of his military service in World War II, Childers once said, ``The American Indian has only one country to defend, and when you're picked on, the American Indian never turns his back.'' A fitting quote from a man who exemplified courage under fire and dedication to defending our nation.
Until his death on March 17, 2005, Childers was Oklahoma's last Congressional Medal of Honor recipient still living in the state. I am proud to introduce this legislation to honor his life and legacy. We were honored to have him grace us with his model character, defend us with his bravery, and leave us all with a life well-lived.
