TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation honored two Cherokee veterans with the Medal of Patriotism during the May meeting of the Council of the Cherokee Nation.
Joe Wayne Atchley of Tahlequah and Michael David Thomas of Muskogee were recognized by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner along with Secretary of Veteran Affairs S. Joe Crittenden, acknowledging their service and sacrifice to this country.
Atchley enlisted in the United States Navy on Nov. 17, 1976. He was a sailor during the Vietnam Era. Atchley received training as a quartermaster and a signalman. Atchley received advanced training to fulfill aviation firefighter needs and shipboard duties. He was honorably discharged on June 7, 1987, with the rank of E-3.
Michael David Thomas enlisted in the United States Navy on July 6, 1999, and completed his basic training at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Additionally, Thomas completed basic electronics training at the Naval Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois. He received more training at the Combat Training Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Thomas was stationed on the USS Donald Cook during the bombing of Aden, Yemen, in October of 2000. The USS Donald Cook escorted a Norwegian ship carrying the USS Cole to return to the United States. Thomas was honorably discharged on Nov. 5, 2004.
Thomas received the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
“I want to say thank you to the Council of the Cherokee Nation and to Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner. Wado for the support,” said Thomas.
Each month the Cherokee Nation recognizes Cherokee service men and women for their sacrifices and as a way to demonstrate the high regard in which all veterans are held by the tribe. Native Americans, including Cherokees, are thought to have more citizens serving per capita than any other ethnic group according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
To nominate a veteran who is a Cherokee Nation citizen, call 918-772-4166.