Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Childers, A Soldier's Story
Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Childers, A Soldier's Story
Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Childers was born on February 1, 1918, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. A member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, he graduated from the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School and enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard before World War II. He was assigned to the 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division.
When the United States entered World War II, Childers deployed to the European Theater and saw heavy combat in Italy. On September 22, 1943, near Oliveto, Italy, then-Second Lieutenant Childers led his platoon up a steep, enemy-held hillside despite suffering from a broken foot.
Under intense machine-gun fire, he personally attacked two enemy positions. Using stones to create the impression of grenade fire, he forced German soldiers to expose themselves, then eliminated the gunners. He also killed two snipers and captured an enemy artillery observer, all while continuing to lead his men forward.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Ernest Childers was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. His courage marked a historic moment: he became the first Native American to receive the Medal of Honor since the 19th-century Indian Wars.
After World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Childers continued his Army career, serving through the Korean and Vietnam War eras and specializing in jungle and winter warfare training. His service spanned more than two decades, reflecting not just battlefield bravery but long-term commitment to military leadership and readiness. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1965.
Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Childers died on March 17, 2005, at the age of 87. He rests at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Ernest Childers Middle School was named in his honor, and he remained active in his community for decades, mentoring students and signing yearbooks, a quiet continuation of the leadership he had shown in combat.
His life stands as a powerful example of Native American military service, wartime courage in Italy during World War II, and a career defined by discipline, dignity, and determination.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
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