Levi Oakes (1925-2019), last surviving Mohawk World War II code talker

Awarded a silver star for heroic efforts during World War II.

Levi Oakes was the last surviving member of the Mohawk tribe in Northern New York who was a code talker in World War II. Oakes served in the Pacific during the war and was awarded a silver medal andsilver star for his heroism. He saw action in the Philippines and New Guinea. After his service, he worked in the iron industry in Buffalo, New York.

Died:May 28, 2019 (Who else died on May 28?)

Details of death:Died at the age of94.

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On his experience in the war:cb0cb0We laid out the field wires out in the jungles and all of that stuff. Itca2cb4ca2s exciting but itcb4ca2s not too good of a job. Itcb4ca2s dangerous over there! They were supposed to put me on theradiobut they put me on field wire communications and all that stuff. Therecb4ca2s only one or two persons Icb4ca2d talk to when I was there in Mohawk. It was a secret code. Wecb4ca2d talk our own language in Mohawk with the other person. But theycb4ca2d give us a paper to read on it and yougottatranslate it.cb0cb0cd8cb4cb4cb0cb4cb0cd8cb4cb4cb0cb0cb0cb4cb4cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0cb0 cb4cb4Oakes told WAMC in 2016

What they said about him: cb0cb0By his actions, you could just tell he was a special person. He had a great spirit and a love for people cb4ca2 especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.cb0cb0 cd8cb4cb4Son-In-Law Mark Ocb2cabNeill to the Watertown Daily Times

Full obituary:Watertown Daily Times

Related Lives:

• Navajo code talkerSamuel Tom Holiday(d. 2018)

• Navajo code talkerRoy HawthorneSr. (d. 2018)