Organizer Seeks Mohawk Code Talkers
Apr 19, 2012
Veteran Affairs Coordinator Jeff C. Whelan is trying to find out how accurate his list is of Mohawk Code talkers. “I’ve been working on this list for a while and I’m now at the point where I need some input from the community,” said Whelan. He is looking for verification, either documents or verbal confirmation or both. “What I need is clear and convincing evidence that this list of men were in fact Code Talkers during World War II,” he added.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council recently requested the United States Mint to develop a Code Talkers Congressional Medal for Mohawk Code Talkers. They appointed Jeffrey C. Whelan to serve as the Mohawk Tribe’s official liaison to the United States Mint. Whelan will assist in the design of the medal.
Family members of WWII Mohawk Code talkers can contact Whelan to set up an appointment. He will conduct interviews and establish the facts so that the medal can be awarded to the rightful heroes. The verification process is important since it is part of the citation that accompanies the presentation of the medal.
Below is a list of Mohawk WWII veterans who may have been code talkers. Whelan wants their family members to contact him so he can begin the verification process. “Also, if there are other individuals who should be added to the list, please contact me,” noted Whelan.
| Name | Branch of Service |
| Arquette, Mike | Army |
| Barnes, Joseph | Army |
| Cole, Tom | Not known |
| Conners, Stanley | Army |
| Cook, Angus B | Army |
| Cook, Bobby | Marines |
| Herne, Joe | Not known |
| King, Joseph G | Army |
| King, Louie | Army |
| Lazore, Charlie | Army |
| Lazore, Wilson | Army |
| Laughing, Angus | Not known |
| Oakes, Alex | Not known |
| Peters, Alex Wesley | Army |
| Pyke, Joe “Harry” | Army |
| Ransom, Abe | Not known |
| Rouke, Andrew | Army |
| Sunday, Mitchell “GaDuc” | Army |
| Tarbell, Albert A. | Army |
| White, Peter Earl “Sonny” | Army |
| White, Reginald | Not known |
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For more information contact David T. Staddon, Director of Public Information at 518-358-2272 ext. 286.