Honoring Veterans: Army Veteran Alvin C. Tso

Alvin C. Tso was born in May 1932 in Kaibeto, Arizona, an area later impacted by the Glen Canyon Dam. Growing up in the Navajo reservation, he spent his days as a cowpuncher at his family ranch and handling various responsibilities.

Tso’s sense of pride as a Native American was shaped by the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, who, after initially being forced to abandon their native language in government-run boarding schools, were later recruited by the U.S. military in 1942 to create an unbreakable code crucial to wartime communication. Inspired by their service, Tso joined the Army as an infantryman in 1952, during a period of national tension, with the ongoing Korean War and presidential elections influencing public opinion.

Shortly after marrying his wife, Margie, Tso was assigned to the 45th (Thunderbirds) Division and deployed to Korea. His unit reinforced U.S. efforts to defend South Korea from Chinese forces and to prevent North Korea from imposing communist rule. Witnessing the Army’s response to heavy frontline casualties among radio operators, Tso volunteered as the company’s forward observer, moving quickly to different observation points, coordinating indirect fire and communication for his troop. While preparing for this mission, a supervisor instructed him to pack his rucksack and dog tags in case he didn’t survive, adding sarcastically that, “The role fit him well, as an Indian, Tso should be a good runner.”

Despite facing stereotypes, limited training and low survival expectations, Tso’s efforts were crucial in securing his company’s safe retreat. For his leadership and quick decision-making, he achieved the rank of staff sergeant and received numerous awards, including a Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, a Combat Infantry Badge, a United Nations Service Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. Reflecting on his experience, Tso would later state, “It was a long overseas journey from Monterey, CA., to Korea aboard a naval ship.”

Returning from the war in 1954, Tso found the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) pressuring his parents to relinquish their ancestral land. Acting as their interpreter, he sought legal advice from a family member, a community lawyer, to protect their land rights and navigate complex boundary issues.

Tso struggled with the transition to civilian life and alcohol dependency. With the support of his wife, surviving children, his sister Nina and a renewed faith in God, he found a new calling. He became a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene and served as the main speaker at the Ranch Hand Ministry (RANCH) for over 25 years, ministering throughout the Navajo area and beyond.

In addition to his duties as a minister, Tso dedicated over 20 years as the Chapter Official of the Health Board and Grazing Committee and 12 years as a livestock inspector. Well into his 80s, he shared his love of horseback riding by mentoring the community youth rodeo team.

Alvin Tso died in August 2018 in Lechee, Arizona, and was laid to rest at the family’s ranch, where he had started a small family cemetery. His service and dedication to his community will be remembered.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for Honoring Veterans

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s Honoring Veterans social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This Honoring Veterans profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Writer: Yosaida Santana

Editor: Endreyah Middleton

Researcher: Raphael Romea

Graphic Designer: Kiki Kelley