Choctaw Code Talkers Honored with Fort Worth Memorial

Descendants gather to unveil historical marker recognizing Native American soldiers' secret WWII service.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:56pm

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A detailed, textured painting of a Choctaw code talker's uniform and equipment, bathed in warm, cinematic lighting and shadows, conceptually representing the hidden history and quiet resilience of these Native American soldiers.The new historical marker in Fort Worth honors the legacy of the Choctaw code talkers, whose secret service during World War I paved the way for future Native American military contributions.Fort Worth Today

Descendants of the Choctaw code talkers, a group of 19 Native American soldiers who used their language to transmit encrypted messages to the Allies during World War I, gathered in Fort Worth, Texas to unveil a new historical marker honoring their secret service. The marker was placed at the city's Veterans Memorial Park, where the code talkers had trained at Camp Bowie during the war.

Why it matters

The Choctaw code talkers were the first Native American soldiers to use their language as an unbreakable military code, paving the way for the more famous Navajo code talkers in World War II. Their story highlights the often overlooked contributions of Indigenous people to American military history and the importance of preserving endangered Native languages.

The details

The Choctaw Code Talker Historical Marker was unveiled during an April 1 ceremony hosted by the Oklahoma tribe, the Texas Historical Commission and the Fort Worth parks department. Several descendants of the code talkers attended the event, including Nuchi Nashoba, president of the Choctaw Code Talkers Association, and her daughter Ta'Na Alexander, the great-great-granddaughter of code talker Ben Carterby. The marker details how the Choctaw soldiers used words like 'tanampo chito' for artillery and 'tvshka' for warriors to transmit messages the Germans could not decipher.

  • The Choctaw code talkers served during World War I in northern France.
  • Nashoba learned about her great-grandfather Carterby's secret service as a code talker in 1989, when she was in her late 20s.
  • Last May, the Choctaw Code Talkers Association placed a bronze sculpture honoring the group at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Oklahoma.
  • The Fort Worth marker was unveiled on April 1, 2026.

The players

Nuchi Nashoba

President of the Choctaw Code Talkers Association and great-granddaughter of code talker Ben Carterby.

Ben Carterby

A Choctaw code talker who served during World War I.

Ta'Na Alexander

The great-great-granddaughter of code talker Ben Carterby and Nashoba's daughter.

Choctaw Code Talkers Association

An organization that has led advocacy efforts to spotlight the legacy of the Choctaw code talkers.

Col. Brent Kemp

Commander of the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the National Guard, who spoke at the marker unveiling.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing the marker really brings me a lot of joy. This is what preserves the history for generations to come.”

— Nuchi Nashoba, President, Choctaw Code Talkers Association

“Their story is a testament to the resilience and patriotism of the Choctaw Nation. Their ingenuity and bravery reminds us of the power of cultural heritage and the importance of preserving Indigenous languages.”

— Col. Brent Kemp, Commander, 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

“It's pretty monumental to realize that more people are starting to recognize the significant part of these men who were sworn to secrecy. This marker connects the past to the future.”

— Ta'Na Alexander, Great-great-granddaughter of code talker Ben Carterby

What’s next

The Choctaw Code Talkers Association is exploring additional statewide recognitions in Texas to further honor the legacy of the Native American soldiers.

The takeaway

The unveiling of the Choctaw Code Talker Historical Marker in Fort Worth serves as an important step in preserving the often overlooked contributions of Indigenous people to American military history. It highlights the resilience and patriotism of the Choctaw Nation and the importance of preserving endangered Native languages.