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Edmond Harjo
1917 - 2014
Edmond Harjo
1917 - 2014
Obituary
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BORN
1917
DIED
2014
Edmond Harjo Obituary
Edmond Harjo died March 31 at Mercy Hospital in Ada, Okla., according to the Swearingen Funeral Home. Harjo's nephew, Richard Harjo, said his uncle had a heart attack.
Harjo, a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, traveled to Washington D.C. last November to take part in a ceremony where congressional leaders bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal, its highest civilian honor, on American Indian code talkers. The ceremony honored 33 tribes.
At the ceremony, House Speaker John Boehner recalled how Harjo, a member of the 195th Field Artillery Battalion, was walking through an orchard in southern France in 1944 and heard one of his fellow soldiers singing under a tree in the Creek dialect. A captain later heard the two soldiers talking, Boehner said, and immediately put them to work on opposite ends of a radio.
"Edmond and his brothers were at Normandy. They were on Iwo Jima. They mobilized the simplest weapon - language - to thwart the fiercest enemy free people have ever known," Boehner said. "And they made a difference. After serving with honor, they did the honorable thing. They kept their service a secret. Even to those that they loved."
Richard Harjo said there was some controversy following the ceremony because his uncle had been under the impression the medal was being presented to him, not the tribe. But the ceremony and honor still meant a lot to him, Richard Harjo said.
"He sought to do what was right and wanted that same recognition in return," Richard Harjo said.
Edmond Harjo was born on Nov. 24, 1917, in Maud, Okla. Harjo was a school teacher for most of his life and a classical pianist.
"He was kind of a distinct character," his nephew said.
Edmond Harjo never married and had no children, Richard Harjo said. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held for Edmond Harjo on April 4 in Seminole, Okla.
___
Follow Kristi Eaton on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kristieaton.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
36 Entries
Lena Williams
February 1, 2015
Thank you for saving our country. Rip.
LHG
April 23, 2014
Truly, I am sorry for your loss, Death is not and will never be the will of God. It has been noted that Edmond was a man of courage. He undoubtedly witnessed much war and suffering. May he rest peacefully - one day he will see the words in Isaiah 2:4, so prominently displayed at the UN, become a reality when there will be peace on earth. -
Brenda
April 16, 2014
Reading Mr. Harjo's obituary brought chills to my bones; what remarkable courage he showed for the love of his country and the love of his fellow countrymen. I am sure that Mr. Harjo would join me in welcoming "God's Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth."--Matthew 6:10. Then we will have one government ruling over the entire earth, and there will be no need for war because all mankind of all races, nationalities, and languages will be truly united in peace.--Isaiah 2:4.
How you can show support
April 16, 2014
May the God of peace comfort your hearts during this difficult time.
Orlando
April 16, 2014
Learning about what he accomplished and did, is quite impressive! I'm looking forward for warfares to be over for ever, and no one else has to sacrifice theirselves or go undercover. My thoughts are with his nephews and relatives, who are now dealing with such a loss. In times like these, God gives real help through the encouragement found in His Word, our supportive friends, and the strength provided by Holy Spirit. May God grant them the comfort needed; may Mr. Harjo's great memories lives in your minds for ever.
Steve martinez
April 15, 2014
U and my dad r the two most respected men I know. U r the bravest. God always be with u.
April 15, 2014
To the Harjo family: Thank you for sharing your dear loved one with us his services were truly appreciated by many.Our heartfelt sympathy
April 14, 2014
You and the other "Windtalkers" have done so much for our nation. It is such a shame that you were not honored individually. Thank you for your service and Rest in Peace.
April 14, 2014
LET THE LOVE OF GOD PERMEATE YOUR HEART,AND HIS MERCY BE SHOWN TO YOU..MATT.5:7......DEE
Mark
April 12, 2014
Thank you for your service sir...
A friend.
April 11, 2014
My condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends. I hope that the shared moments and laughter bring you peace during this difficult time. I pray that you can draw consolation and hope from the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3)
C Eggert
April 11, 2014
Thank you sir for the lives you saved and for your service to our country.
April 11, 2014
The Native American Indians were the only ones who weren't "immigrants" because they were here first. R.I.P. Mr. Harjo.
April 11, 2014
Sincere condolences to the Harjo family.
May the God of all comfort be with you
and your family. May the love and support
from family and friends be a source of
strength and encouragement for you at this
difficult time.
Dawn Fairchild
April 11, 2014
Thank you for your service, brave man. R.I.P
bart adkins
April 10, 2014
Thanks to Edmond Harjo for lives he saved and the service to his country. May God bless him and comfort his family
bart adkins
April 10, 2014
Thanks to Edmond Harjo for the lives he saved and the service to his country. May God bless him and comfort his family
April 10, 2014
Hero is spelled Harjo. All for your and my freedom.What more can be added to the peace maker? F. Williams
Greg Nicholson
April 10, 2014
Thanks to a true American Hero!!
kevin parrotte
April 10, 2014
thank you for youre service and scrafice and currage rest i n peace hero
michelle plakas-kaiser
April 10, 2014
rip
Becky Hurlbut
April 10, 2014
appreciate his help during the War a true hero. May he rest in peace.
Jim
April 10, 2014
Rest in peace you great and brave solider
April 10, 2014
The ancesters are now listening to your code Rest In Peace God speed
Kelly C.
April 10, 2014
RIP Mr. Harjo. Thank you for your service to our country! It's been many years since you and I have talked, but I will always treasure my memories of you.
Donna Nichols
April 10, 2014
Rest in peace and thank you.
Harry Simpson
April 10, 2014
Rest Edmond, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Patti R
April 10, 2014
Rest in peace. My thoughts & prayers are with the Harjo family & friends.
April 10, 2014
With deepest condolences. We are never prepared for such a deep loss so I hope you find some comfort in the memories & joys you had and know sickness, pain and death that we deal with now will one day be no more for this has been promised to us.
Jane Dowling
April 10, 2014
God bless you sir, and thank you...Prayers for your loved ones.
April 10, 2014
Thank you for your service to our country. You have done much to honor this nation. You now go on to be with your brothers in arms.
A grateful American
Dr. Rey
April 9, 2014
Prayers for the family of this great serviceman.God bless him and all servicemen and women.God bless America
April 9, 2014
I am sorry for your loss. I hope you can find comfort in the words written at (Jeremiah 29:11,12)
A
April 9, 2014
Dear family, I am sorry to hear of your loss may you all find comfort by drawing close to God. James 4:8
Scott Chamberland
April 9, 2014
Rest in Peace
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