WASHINGTON — The origin of Veterans Day goes back to November 11, 1918, and is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I hostilities between the Allied Nations and Germany. As people remember and honor those who have served the United States in the military, many remain unaware of the major contributions Native Americans have made to the armed forces.

It is interesting to note that American Indians served in the US military in greater numbers per capita than any other ethnic group and that they have served with distinction in every major conflict in our history.

It is estimated that more than 12,000 American Indians served in World War I and that 44,000 American Indians, out of a total Native American population of 350,000, served with distinction between 1941 and 1945. During World War II on the home front, more than 40,000 Native Americans left their reservations to work in factories and other war industries. Many of these battle-hardened Native Americans that served in World War II also served in the Korean War, along with new Native American recruits like Charles Lindberg Kilson and his late brother, Earl Anderson Kilson. More than 42,000 Native Americans, 90 percent of them volunteers, fought in Vietnam, and Earl Anderson Kilson was one of the many Native American Indians that continued to serve their country in the Vietnam War. Today, there are almost 200,000 Native American military veterans.

Each year on November 10, The Institute for American Indian Studies, located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, holds a traditional ceremony at noon that includes prayers and drumming to honor the contributions and valor of Native American Veterans. This year, that very special traditional ceremony at the Institute for American Indian Studies honored Sandy Hook resident Charles Lindberg Kilson, Sr, as well as the memory of his brother, Earl Anderson Kilson, Jr, both of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. The brothers served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Earl also served during the early years of the Vietnam War.

About Charles Lindberg Kilson

Charles “Lindy” was born on May 16, 1931, and currently resides in Sandy Hook. For many years, he and his family lived on the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation in Kent, where he is an active member with the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. He has many memories that remain alive of his younger days of hunting and fishing on his land.

The War Years

On December 29, 1950, Charlie took the train from Kent and traveled to the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York where he enlisted and was sworn into the United States Navy. Shortly after boot camp, he was assigned to duty on a destroyer named the USS Purdy. Afterwards, he was assigned to another destroyer named the USS Dickson No. 708. Both homeports of the vessels were located in Newport, R.I. and both ships, at different times, were at port off the Korean coast during the Korean War patrols.

On October 19, 1952, Charlie had to undergo major surgery at the Newport Naval Hospital, which involved removing part of his left lung. This particular medical procedure kept him hospitalized for nearly six months. While in the hospital, Charlie’s father, Earl Kilson, Sr, was able to visit his son with the assistance and kindness of a Kent Resident State Trooper who drove him there. Upon Charlie’s release from the naval hospital, he immediately requested to be put back on the USS Dickson, where his brother Earl, Jr, was stationed. Earl had enlisted in the Navy four years prior. The Navy granted Charlie’s request, and both brothers served together until Earl’s transfer to submarine service, where he worked in fire control ignition. Charlie also requested a transfer and was denied due to the complexity of his surgery. Naval officials told Charles that he and Earl were the first brothers to be put on a naval ship together since the death of the Sullivan Brothers during World War II.

Back Home

While on the USS Dickson, Charlie was a 1st Class Seaman Gunner’s Mate. He specialized and assisted in bow guns, which were 5-inch 38s. Charlie stayed on the USS Dickson until January 1954, when he returned home to the Schaghticoke Reservation, where his family resided with his younger brother, Russell. He found work with the Thompson Brothers Excavation Company. Shortly after his return home, Charlie met Mildred (Millie) Fagan, the woman with whom he was to spend the next 63 years. Together, they began a family and moved to Sandy Hook where, in 1970, they both were employed with the Newtown High School, Charlie as a school custodian and Millie as a cafeteria assistant. After 42 years at the Newtown High School, both Millie and Charlie retired.

On November 11, 2009, the Town of Kent dedicated a monument for veterans serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and both Kilson names are listed on it. They were both present for the dedication ceremony. Charlie still has his enlistment card and still remembers his serial number.

Charlie is a profoundly proud member of his Tribe, the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation (STN). He has always been active within his Tribe and attends every Tribal meeting and every social event. Many believe that Charlie is the oldest living member, and his many titles include Lindy (to his family) Charlie (to his many friends) Dad, Pop, Grandpa, Uncle, Cousin, Big Dog, and Elder/STN Tribal Member.

About Earl Anderson Kilson

Earl “Bub” Kilson was born on July 11, 1928 and lived with his family on the Schaghticoke Reservation in Kent for much of his young life. Until his death, he was an active member of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. Earl had many memories of his hunting and fishing days on his land.

War Years

Earl enlisted into the United States Navy in 1946. Shortly after his graduation from boot camp during World War II, he was stationed onboard an aircraft carrier in the Sea of Japan. He was later assigned to a destroyer and was stationed at the Naval Base in Newport, R.I. Earl and his brother Charlie both served on the USS Dickson, which was scheduling patrols off the Korean coast during the Korean War. Earl later transferred to submarine service working in fire control ignition. His first ship was an old diesel-operated submarine, and his next advancement was serving on the USS Seawolf, the second atomic-operated submarine in the US fleet. Most of Earl’s submarine training took place in Connecticut at the submarine base in Groton.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the submarine that Earl was serving on was part of the blockade and was under orders to stay in position during that crisis. At another point in Earl’s naval career, he was stationed in the Pacific at Pearl Harbor during the initial stages of the Vietnam War. At this time, he served in the Atlantic Fleet as well as the Pacific Fleet. The final submarine that Earl served on was the USS Trigger.

Back Home

After 20 years of service, Earl retired from the Navy with the rank of Chief Electronics Petty Officer in 1966. He, along with his wife, Lillian, and their children, moved to Dover, N.H., where he was employed at the Portsmouth Naval Yard in Kittery, Maine. There, Earl participated in the sea trials associated with new submarines that were being constructed; his wife was proud to be present at several sea trials.

Earl retired from the Portsmouth Navel Yard after 20 years. He was an active member of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation and for many years would travel to attend the Schaghticoke Tribal meetings and socials. He resided in Dover with his family until his death on March 16, 2014.