This Indigenous Peoples Day, we proudly recognize the long and distinguished history of Native American and Indigenous peoples’ service in the United States Armed Forces.
Though Native Americans represent a small portion of the U.S. population—around 2.9% as of 2021—they have consistently shown an extraordinary commitment to military service. In fact, according to the United Service Organizations (USO), approximately 19% of Native Americans have served in the Armed Forces since 9/11, surpassing the national average of 14% for other ethnic groups.
Native Americans have a remarkable legacy of military service, with over 12,000 men fighting in World War I, even before being granted U.S. citizenship. From those early warriors to today’s servicemen and women, Indigenous and Native Americans have continued to serve our country with honor, courage, and resilience.
We honor their contributions, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to protecting our nation’s freedom, both past and present.
*This photo, credited to Mark Reinstein, captures Native American Veterans of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial on Veterans Day, 1990.