Louis Levi Oakes, the oldest Mohawk code talker, died last Tuesday at age 94.
Oakes, a member of the Saint Regis Mohawk tribe, was a recipient of the Congressional Silver Medal and Silver Star in recognition of his service during World War II as a code talker.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has joined in sharing condolences for the loss of a beloved Akwesashró:non — Louis Levi Oakes," a press release from the tribe read. "Oakes was an enrolled tribal member and the last remaining Akwesasne Mohawk Code Talker who served during World War II. He touched the lives of everyone who met him and will be missed by many, particularly by his loved ones."
Oakes was born in Akwesasne, N.Y. in 1922 on Mohawk Territory. He enlisted at 18 and received formal military training as a code talker while he was stationed in Louisiana.
During his six years of military service, Oakes went to serve in the South Pacific, New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II as a technician 4th Grade, with Company B, 442nd Signal Battalion. He was one of only three or four code talkers in Company B.
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