Native American Veterans

Vietnam Veteran David Chee is among the many Native American Veterans and service members who have dedicated their lives to military service. Chee proudly served with the Army's 82nd Airborne, parachuting into the jungles of Vietnam. Chee now owns a home he purchased on Navajo tribal lands with the help of the VA Native American Direct Loan. 

The Chinle clinic represents “a huge step in making good on our obligation to serve our Native Veterans as well as they’ve served us and our country.”

Many Native American Veterans experiencing homelessness hesitate to reach out to VA. Tribal HUD-VASH can help them go from homeless to housed.

Eligible Veterans seeking copayment exemption must submit official tribal documentation to begin receiving this new benefit.

Lori Piestewa, a single mother of two, hoped to one day realize her goal of attaining a college degree. But in April 2003, she became the first Native American soldier and the first woman to die in the Iraq War. For this #NNAHM, we honor her service.

On Feb. 23, 1945, five days after the initial assault on the island of Iwo Jima, Marines took control of the high ground and planted a flag atop Mt. Suribachi. Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams and Navajo Code Talker Thomas H. Begay recall what it was like to see the Stars and Stripes fly high over the island.

The Code Talkers used native languages to send military messages before World War II. Navajo, which was unwritten and known by few outside the tribe, seemed to fit the Corps’ requirements. They took their language and developed a “Type One Code” that assigned a Navajo word to each English letter. In addition to being unbreakable, the new code also reduced the amount of time it took to transmit and receive secret messages.

The Warrior Tradition tells the astonishing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and largely-untold story of Native Americans in the United States military.

HUD-VASH is the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supported Housing—a joint program between HUD and VA that assists Veterans and their families.

On National Navajo Code Talker Day, we celebrate the tenacity and remember the courage of the code talkers during World War II.

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Upcoming Indian Country VA claims events in Navajo Nation will take place April 10 in Kayenta, Arizona,  May 8 in Tuba City, Arizona, and June 14 in Chinle, Arizona.