Jump to content

Pascal Poolaw: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
ce
+ Short description
 
(41 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Native American soldier (1922–1967)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2018}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|width_style = person
|width_style = person
|name = Pascal Poolaw
|name = Pascal Poolaw
|image = Pascal C Poolaw Sr.jpg
|image_upright = 1.2
|caption = Poolaw during the Korean War
|image = Pascal C Poolaw Sr.jpg
|birth_name = Pascal Cleatus Poolaw
|caption = Poolaw during the Korean War
|birth_name = Pascal Cleatus Poolaw
|birth_date = {{birth date|1922|01|22}}
{{labeldata|[[Tribal nation|Native tribe]]|[[Kiowa Nation]]}}
|birth_place = [[Apache, Oklahoma]], U.S.
|death_date = {{death date and age|1967|11|7|1922|01|22}}
|birth_date = {{birth date|1922|01|29|mf=y}}
|death_place = {{nowrap|near [[Loc Ninh]], South Vietnam}}
|birth_place = [[Apache, Oklahoma]], U.S.
|death_date = {{death date and age|1967|11|7|1922|01|29|mf=y}}
|placeofburial = [[Fort Sill National Cemetery]]
|death_place = {{nowr|near [[Lộc Ninh (township)|Loc Ninh]], South Vietnam}}
|allegiance = {{flagu|United States}}
|placeofburial = [[Fort Sill National Cemetery]]
|branch_label = Branch
|branch = {{flagi|Flag of the United States Army.svg|size=23px}} [[United States Army]]
|allegiance = United States
|branch_label = Branch
|serviceyears_label = Service years
|branch = [[United States Army]]
|serviceyears = 1942–1967
|serviceyears_label = Years of service
|rank = First sergeant
|unit_label = Units
|serviceyears = 1942–1967
|unit = {{plainlist|
|rank = [[First Sergeant]]
|servicenumber = 18131087
|unit_label = Regiments
|unit = {{plainlist|
* [[8th Infantry Regiment (United States)|8th Infantry Regiment]]
* [[8th Infantry Regiment (United States)|8th Infantry Regiment]]
* [[27th Infantry Regiment (United States)|27th Infantry Regiment]]
* [[27th Infantry Regiment (United States)|27th Infantry Regiment]]
* [[26th Infantry Regiment (United States)|26th Infantry Regiment]]}}
* [[26th Infantry Regiment (United States)|26th Infantry Regiment]]}}
|battles_label = Wars
|battles_label = Wars
|battles = {{ubl|[[World War II]]|[[Korean War]]|[[Vietnam War]]{{KIA}}}}
|battles = {{ubl|[[World War II]]|[[Korean War]]|[[Vietnam War]]{{KIA|alt=yes}}}}
|awards = {{plainlist|
* [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]]
* [[Silver Star Medal]] (4)
* [[Bronze Star Medal]] (5)
* [[Purple Heart Medal]] (3)}}
}}
}}


'''Pascal Cleatus Poolaw Sr.''' (January 22, 1922&nbsp;– November 7, 1967) was a [[Kiowa]] who served with the [[United States Army]] in [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]], and the [[Vietnam War]]. He is the United States' most decorated [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], with 42&nbsp;medals and citations, including four [[Silver Star]]s, five [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Stars]], as well as three [[Purple Heart]]s&nbsp;– one for each war.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pascal C. Poolaw Sr.|url=https://www.army.mil/americanindians/poolaw.html|website=army.mil|series=American Indians in the U.S. Army|accessdate=2018-12-08|df=mdy-all|quote=Most decorated American Indian Soldier}}</ref>
'''Pascal Cleatus Poolaw''' (January 29, 1922&nbsp;– November 7, 1967) was a [[Kiowa]] who served with the [[United States Army]] in [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]], and the [[Vietnam War]]. He is the United States' most decorated [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], with 42&nbsp;medals and citations, including the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]], four [[Silver Star]]s, five [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Stars]], as well as three [[Purple Heart]]s&nbsp;– one for each war.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pascal C. Poolaw Sr.|url=https://www.army.mil/americanindians/poolaw.html|website=army.mil|series=American Indians in the U.S. Army|access-date=2018-12-08|df=mdy-all|quote=Most decorated American Indian Soldier}}</ref>


== Biography ==
== Early life ==
Pascal Poolaw was born in [[Apache, Oklahoma]], to Ralph Emerson Poolaw and Minnie Monetathchi Bointy. He married Irene Chalepah on March 15, 1940, and had four sons: Lester, Pascal Jr., Lindy, and Donnie.
Pascal Poolaw was born in [[Apache, Oklahoma]], to Ralph Emerson Poolaw and Minnie Monetathchi Bointy. He married Irene Chalepah on March 15, 1940, and had four sons: Lester, Pascal Jr., Lindy, and Donnie.


=== Military career ===
== Military career ==
In 1942, Poolaw joined his father and two brothers in [[World War II]]. He earned his first [[Purple Heart]] when he was wounded in September&nbsp;1944.{{sfn|Meadows|2012|p=74}} He earned his first [[Silver Star]] for his actions [[Bastogne|near Recogne]], Belgium, while serving in the [[8th Infantry Regiment (United States)|8th Infantry Regiment]]'s M Company, when he pushed his unit forward under heavy fire and hurled hand grenades at enemy machine guns until the enemy dispersed.{{sfn|Hall of Valor|2010}}
In 1942, Poolaw joined his father and two brothers in [[World War II]]. He earned his first [[Purple Heart]] when he was wounded in September&nbsp;1944.{{sfn|Meadows|2012|p=74}} He earned his first [[Silver Star]] for his actions [[Bastogne|near Recogne]], Belgium, while serving in Company M, [[8th Infantry Regiment (United States)|8th&nbsp;Infantry Regiment]], when he pushed his unit forward under heavy fire and hurled hand grenades at enemy machine guns until the enemy dispersed.{{sfn|Hall of Valor|2010}}


He continued to serve in the [[Korean War]], where he earned two more Silver Stars and in July&nbsp;1950, another Purple Heart,{{sfn|Meadows|2012|p=74}} before his return to the United States in 1952.{{sfn|Hall of Valor|2010}} He retired from the Army in 1962.
He continued to serve in the [[Korean War]], where he earned two more Silver Stars, and in July&nbsp;1950, another Purple Heart,{{sfn|Meadows|2012|p=74}} before his return to the United States in 1952.{{sfn|Hall of Valor|2010}} He retired from the Army in 1962.


His son Pascal Jr. had also joined the army and was serving in the [[Vietnam War]] in February&nbsp;1967, when he got wounded in both legs by a landmine and had to have his right leg amputated below the knee. His youngest son Lindy was also drafted and set to deploy to Vietnam shortly. Poolaw rejoined the Army to prevent Lindy from having to serve by taking his place. Lindy had already shipped out and Poolaw had hoped to catch up with him in time, but when he arrived on the West Coast he discovered his son had already left the day before.
Poolaw's son, Pascal Jr., had also joined the army and was serving in the [[Vietnam War]] in February&nbsp;1967, when he was wounded in both legs by a landmine, and had to have his right leg [[below-the-knee amputation|amputated below the knee]]. Poolaw's youngest son Lindy was also drafted and set to deploy to Vietnam shortly thereafter.


He decided to follow his son to Vietnam and was deployed on May 31, 1967, as the first sergeant of the [[26th Infantry Regiment (United States)|26th Infantry Regiment]]'s C Company. On November&nbsp;7, while on a search and destroy mission during the [[First Battle of Lộc Ninh]], Poolaw and his unit were ambushed by the [[Viet Cong]]. He was killed while attempting to pull a unit casualty to safety and posthumously awarded a fourth Silver Star.{{sfn|Hall of Valor|2010}}
Poolaw rejoined the Army to prevent Lindy from having to serve, by taking his place. Lindy had already shipped out and Poolaw had hoped to catch up with him in time, but when he arrived on the West Coast, he discovered his son had already left the day before. He decided to follow his son to Vietnam.
Poolaw was deployed on May 31, 1967, as the first sergeant of the [[26th Infantry Regiment (United States)|26th&nbsp;Infantry Regiment]]'s C&nbsp;Company. On November&nbsp;7, while on a search and destroy mission during the [[first battle of Loc Ninh]], Poolaw and his unit were ambushed by the [[Viet Cong]]. He was killed while attempting to pull a unit casualty to safety, and posthumously awarded a fourth Silver Star.{{sfn|Hall of Valor|2010}}


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
At his funeral, his wife stated: "He has followed the trail of the great chiefs."{{sfn|Ward|Burns|2017|p=244}} A building at the U.S. Army base in [[Fort Sill]] in [[Lawton, Oklahoma]], where he was stationed prior to his deployment to Vietnam, is named in his honor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kiowa citizen Pascal Cleatus Poolaw considered most decorated Indian soldier|url=https://www.indianz.com/News/2017/11/07/kiowa-citizen-pascal-cleatus-poolaw-cons.asp|newspaper=Indianz.Com|date=2017-11-07|accessdate=2018-02-02|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
At his funeral his wife stated: "He has followed the trail of the great chiefs."{{sfn|Ward|Burns|2017|p=244}} A building at the U.S. Army base in [[Fort Sill]] in [[Lawton, Oklahoma]]—where he was stationed prior to his deployment to Vietnam—is named in his honor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kiowa citizen Pascal Cleatus Poolaw considered most decorated Indian soldier|url=https://www.indianz.com/News/2017/11/07/kiowa-citizen-pascal-cleatus-poolaw-cons.asp|newspaper=Indianz.Com|date=2017-11-07|access-date=2018-02-02|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


=== Awards and decorations ===
=== Awards ===
Poolaw was the recipient of the following military decorations and service medals:{{sfn|Struzinski|2012|p=9}}<center>
Poolaw was the recipient of the following military decorations and service medals:{{sfn|Struzinski|2012|p=9}}
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
{|
|colspan=4 align=center|[[File:CIB3.gif|206px|alt=]]
|colspan=4|[[File:CIB3.gif|206px|alt=]]
|-
|-
|colspan=4 align=center|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg{{!}}border}} {{ribbon devices|width=106|number=3|ribbon=Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=oak}} {{ribbon devices|width=106|number=4|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=oak|other_device=v}}
|colspan=4|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg{{!}}border}} {{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=oak}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -85px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -64px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -43px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span> {{ribbon devices|width=106|number=4|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=oak|other_device=v}}
|-
|-
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=2|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=oak}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=oak}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -75px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=oak}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -85px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:"V" device, brass.svg|21px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -64px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -42px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=2|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=oak|other_device=v}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}<span style="display:inline-block; position:relative; left:-100px; top:0px; width:0;">[[File:gcl-08.png|92px|alt=Ribbon clasp]]</span>
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}<span style="display:inline-block;position:relative;left:-100px;top:0px;width:0;">[[File:gcl-08.png|90px|alt=Ribbon clasp|link=]]</span>
|-
|-
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=5|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=service-star|other_device=arrowhead}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=service-star}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -71px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Arrowhead device.svg|21px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -52px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Silver-service-star-3d.svg|18px]]</span>
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|-
|-
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=1|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=service-star}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Korean Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=service-star}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -80px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Silver-service-star-3d.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -61px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -42px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span>
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=7|ribbon=Korean Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=service-star}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=2|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=service-star}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|type=service-star}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -52px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -71px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span>
|-
|-
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
Line 71: Line 82:
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|-
|-
|colspan=4 align=center|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg{{!}}border}} {{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|colspan=4|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg{{!}}border}}
|-
|-
|colspan=4 align=center|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Korean Presidential Unit Citation.png{{!}}border}} {{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam (Army sized).png{{!}}border}} {{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.png{{!}}border}}
|colspan=4|{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Korean Presidential Unit Citation.png{{!}}border}}{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam (Army sized).png{{!}}border}}{{ribbon devices|width=106|number=0|ribbon=Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.png{{!}}border}}
|}
|}


{|class=wikitable
{|class=wikitable style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!Badge
!Badge
|colspan=12 align=center|[[Combat Infantryman Badge]] w/ two stars
|colspan=12|[[Combat Infantryman Badge]]<br />with two stars
|-
|-
!1st&nbsp;row
!1st&nbsp;row
|colspan=4 align=center|[[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]]
|colspan=4|[[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]]
|colspan=4 align=center|[[Silver Star Medal]]<br />w/ [[oak leaf cluster]]s{{sfn|Hall of Valor|2010}}
|colspan=4|[[Silver Star Medal]]<br />with [[oak leaf cluster]]s{{sfn|Hall of Valor|2010}}
|colspan=4 align=center|[[Bronze Star Medal]]<br />w/ [["V" device]] and oak leaf clusters
|colspan=4|[[Bronze Star Medal]]<br />with [["V" device]] and [[oak leaf clusters]]
|-
|-
!2nd&nbsp;row
!2nd&nbsp;row
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Purple Heart]]<br />w/ oak leaf clusters
|colspan=3|[[Purple Heart]]<br />with oak leaf clusters
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Air Medal]]
|colspan=3|[[Air Medal]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Army Commendation Medal]]<br />w/ [["V" device]] and oak leaf clusters
|colspan=3|[[Army Commendation Medal]]<br />with [["V" device]] and [[oak leaf clusters]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Army Good Conduct Medal|Good Conduct Medal]]<br />{{nowr|w/ [[good conduct loop]]s}}
|colspan=3|[[Army Good Conduct Medal|Good Conduct Medal]]<br />{{nowr|with [[good conduct loop]]s}}
|-
|-
!3rd&nbsp;row
!3rd&nbsp;row
|colspan=3 align=center|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|colspan=3|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal|EAME Campaign Medal]]<br />w/ [[arrowhead device|arrowhead]] and [[service star]]
|colspan=3|[[European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal|EAME Campaign Medal]]<br />with [[arrowhead device|arrowhead]] and [[service star]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|colspan=3|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Army of Occupation Medal]]
|colspan=3|[[Army of Occupation Medal]]
|-
|-
!4th&nbsp;row
!4th&nbsp;row
|colspan=3 align=center class=nowrap|[[National Defense Service Medal]]
|colspan=3 align=center class=nowrap|[[National Defense Service Medal]]<br />with [[service star]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Korean Service Medal]]<br />w/ service stars
|colspan=3|[[Korean Service Medal]]<br />with [[service star]]s
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]
|colspan=3|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Vietnam Service Medal]]<br />w/ service stars
|colspan=3|[[Vietnam Service Medal]]<br />with [[service star]]s
|-
|-
!5th&nbsp;row
!5th&nbsp;row
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Korea Defense Service Medal]]
|colspan=3|[[Korea Defense Service Medal]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[United Nations Korea Medal|United Nations Service Medal]]
|colspan=3|[[United Nations Korea Medal|United Nations Service Medal]]
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]<br />w/ "''60''–" clasp
|colspan=3|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]<br />with "''60''–" clasp
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Republic of Korea War Service Medal|Korean War Service Medal]]
|colspan=3|[[Republic of Korea War Service Medal|Korean War Service Medal]]
|-
|-
!6th&nbsp;row
!6th&nbsp;row
|colspan=6 align=center|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]
|colspan=6|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]
|colspan=6 align=center|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
|colspan=6|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
|-
|-
!7th&nbsp;row
!7th&nbsp;row
|colspan=4 align=center|[[Korea Presidential Unit Citation]]
|colspan=4|[[Korea Presidential Unit Citation]]
|colspan=4 align=center|[[Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation]]
|colspan=4|[[Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation]]
|colspan=4 align=center|[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation]]
|colspan=4|[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation]]
|}
|}</center>


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
Line 131: Line 143:
|publisher = University of Oklahoma Press
|publisher = University of Oklahoma Press
|isbn = 9780806186023
|isbn = 9780806186023
}}
|ref = harv
}}
*{{cite web
*{{cite web
|title = Pascal Cleatus Poolaw
|title = Pascal Cleatus Poolaw
Line 140: Line 151:
|publisher = Sightline Media Group
|publisher = Sightline Media Group
|date = 2010-03-12|df=mdy-all
|date = 2010-03-12|df=mdy-all
|accessdate = 2018-12-09
|access-date = 2018-12-09
|ref = {{sfnref|Hall of Valor|2010}}
|ref = {{sfnref|Hall of Valor|2010}}
}}
}}
Line 148: Line 159:
|website = Together We Served
|website = Together We Served
|series = Military Timeline
|series = Military Timeline
|accessdate = 2018-12-08|df=mdy-all
|access-date = 2018-12-08|df=mdy-all
|date = 2010-12-21
|date = 2010-12-21
|ref = {{sfnref|Together We Served|2010}}
|ref = {{sfnref|Together We Served|2010}}
}}
}}
*{{cite journal
*{{cite journal
|last = Struzinski
|last = Struzinski
|first = F.
|first = F.
|date = 2012
|date = 2012
|title = The Soldiers of Srok Rung
|title = The Soldiers of Srok Rung
|url = https://legacy.1stid.org/bhs/2012Fall.pdf
|url = https://legacy.1stid.org/bhs/2012Fall.pdf
|journal = Bridgehead Sentinel
|journal = Bridgehead Sentinel
|location = Trenton
|location = Trenton
|publisher = Society of the First Infantry Division
|publisher = Society of the First Infantry Division
|oclc = 11274165
|oclc = 11274165
|access-date = December 11, 2018
|ref = harv
|archive-date = December 15, 2018
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215171649/https://legacy.1stid.org/bhs/2012Fall.pdf
|url-status = dead
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
Line 176: Line 190:
|publisher = Doubleday
|publisher = Doubleday
|isbn = 9781524733100
|isbn = 9781524733100
}}
|ref = harv
}}


== External links ==
* {{find a grave|21687835|Pascal Cleatus Poolaw}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
Line 188: Line 199:
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1967 deaths]]
[[Category:1967 deaths]]
[[Category:American army personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:American army personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:American army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:American military personnel killed in the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Kiowa people]]
[[Category:Kiowa people]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Oklahoma]]
Line 197: Line 206:
[[Category:People from Caddo County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:People from Caddo County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel killed in the Vietnam War]]

Latest revision as of 20:58, 1 April 2024

Pascal Poolaw
Poolaw during the Korean War
Birth namePascal Cleatus Poolaw
Born(1922-01-29)January 29, 1922
Apache, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedNovember 7, 1967(1967-11-07) (aged 45)
near Loc Ninh, South Vietnam
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
Years of service1942–1967
RankFirst Sergeant
Service number18131087
Regiments
Wars
Awards

Pascal Cleatus Poolaw (January 29, 1922 – November 7, 1967) was a Kiowa who served with the United States Army in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He is the United States' most decorated Native American, with 42 medals and citations, including the Distinguished Service Cross, four Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars, as well as three Purple Hearts – one for each war.[1]

Early life[edit]

Pascal Poolaw was born in Apache, Oklahoma, to Ralph Emerson Poolaw and Minnie Monetathchi Bointy. He married Irene Chalepah on March 15, 1940, and had four sons: Lester, Pascal Jr., Lindy, and Donnie.

Military career[edit]

In 1942, Poolaw joined his father and two brothers in World War II. He earned his first Purple Heart when he was wounded in September 1944.[2] He earned his first Silver Star for his actions near Recogne, Belgium, while serving in Company M, 8th Infantry Regiment, when he pushed his unit forward under heavy fire and hurled hand grenades at enemy machine guns until the enemy dispersed.[3]

He continued to serve in the Korean War, where he earned two more Silver Stars, and in July 1950, another Purple Heart,[2] before his return to the United States in 1952.[3] He retired from the Army in 1962.

Poolaw's son, Pascal Jr., had also joined the army and was serving in the Vietnam War in February 1967, when he was wounded in both legs by a landmine, and had to have his right leg amputated below the knee. Poolaw's youngest son Lindy was also drafted and set to deploy to Vietnam shortly thereafter.

Poolaw rejoined the Army to prevent Lindy from having to serve, by taking his place. Lindy had already shipped out and Poolaw had hoped to catch up with him in time, but when he arrived on the West Coast, he discovered his son had already left the day before. He decided to follow his son to Vietnam.

Poolaw was deployed on May 31, 1967, as the first sergeant of the 26th Infantry Regiment's C Company. On November 7, while on a search and destroy mission during the first battle of Loc Ninh, Poolaw and his unit were ambushed by the Viet Cong. He was killed while attempting to pull a unit casualty to safety, and posthumously awarded a fourth Silver Star.[3]

Legacy[edit]

At his funeral his wife stated: "He has followed the trail of the great chiefs."[4] A building at the U.S. Army base in Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma—where he was stationed prior to his deployment to Vietnam—is named in his honor.[5]

Awards[edit]

Poolaw was the recipient of the following military decorations and service medals:[6]

V
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Ribbon clasp
Bronze star
Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
with two stars
1st row Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Medal
with oak leaf clusters[3]
Bronze Star Medal
with "V" device and oak leaf clusters
2nd row Purple Heart
with oak leaf clusters
Air Medal Army Commendation Medal
with "V" device and oak leaf clusters
Good Conduct Medal
with good conduct loops
3rd row American Campaign Medal EAME Campaign Medal
with arrowhead and service star
World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal
4th row National Defense Service Medal
with service star
Korean Service Medal
with service stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
with service stars
5th row Korea Defense Service Medal United Nations Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal
with "60–" clasp
Korean War Service Medal
6th row Presidential Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Commendation
7th row Korea Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ "Pascal C. Poolaw Sr". army.mil. American Indians in the U.S. Army. Retrieved December 8, 2018. Most decorated American Indian Soldier
  2. ^ a b Meadows 2012, p. 74.
  3. ^ a b c d Hall of Valor 2010.
  4. ^ Ward & Burns 2017, p. 244.
  5. ^ "Kiowa citizen Pascal Cleatus Poolaw considered most decorated Indian soldier". Indianz.Com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  6. ^ Struzinski 2012, p. 9.

Sources[edit]


Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Pascal C. Poolaw Sr. United States Army.