10/04/2026
By Elizabeth Ballowe
Member of ALA Unit 293 of Cloverdale
Resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces
The Smithsonian Institution, in combination with the National Museum of the American Indian, produced a traveling exhibit portraying Native Americans and their service in the U.S. military. As a 30-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, I was fortunate to attend the stop of the exhibit in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. I was particularly intrigued with the title of the exhibit. Knowing very little about Native American involvement in parts of our military history, I have always wondered why the people who have been treated so badly by our country early in its history would be willing to risk and to give up their lives for this country. I was hoping this exhibit would answer my question. I was not prepared for what I was about to learn.
Native Americans served in the United States Armed Forces at five times the national average and have served in every major conflict in the United States for more than 250 years. Most Native Nations have a warrior tradition but not in the way many people think. Yes, warriors were fighters, but they were so much more. They were protectors. They were providers. They made sure that all the members of the tribe were cared for, had food and lodging. They did everything necessary to ensure their people's survival. Many Native Americans view service in the U.S. Armed Forces as a continuation of the customary role.
Native men were not the only Indians to serve in the U.S. military. Native women had a large role in World War II. About 800 were accepted into the WACs (Women’s Army Corps) and WAVEs (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency service, a naval reserve), some serving for the duration of the war and beyond. They joined for the same reasons as the men, to protect and provide. Besides helping in the U.S. Armed Forces, they also worked in factories, sawmills, aircraft assembly plants and drove supply trucks.
I was fortunate to speak with Tommy Sandman, U.S. Army Armored Cavalry, Corporal E-4, Navajo Tribe. I asked Tommy what was his most memorable experience during his military service. He looked at me and replied, “New Jersey.
“When I was nine years old, I was growing up on the Navajo reservation in the northwest corner of New Mexico. My parents signed paperwork so that I would go live with another family, so that I could get a better education and a better chance at life than they were able to provide. I got on the bus and rode for several hours until the bus arrived in Ogden, Utah. I got off the bus and was looking down at the ground, my long hair in front of my face. I heard a woman’s voice say, “Hi Tommy,” as she parted my hair. She was my new mother.
“I was the only Indian in my family, my school, my church and my town. I went to school and then to college. Then I signed up for the Army. When I got to New Jersey for boot camp, I was completely overwhelmed. I had never seen so many people. I couldn’t believe all the cars. It was overwhelming compared to what I’d known. Starting my life over in the Army changed my whole outlook on the world and life. It was also very jarring to not be allowed to be me anymore. I didn’t have a say in what I did or where I went or what I said. I was completely stripped of anything that made me me. I learned to conform. Yes, New Jersey was my most memorable experience in the Army.“
Tommy served for eight years. From New Jersey he went to Iceland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belarus. He had many postings in the United States on each of the coasts. For a portion of his service, he worked as a medic in an armored tank unit. He is now very involved with the Department of Veteran's Affairs in Gallup, New Mexico.
I feel so blessed to have met him and learned of his service to our country, to his country.
The New Mexico Military Museum in Santa Fe honors the very large number of New Mexicans who were the predominant population of the Bataan Death March. I wanted to learn more information specifically about that horrible event, and here’s what I learned:
1. Army: The majority of the American soldiers involved in the Bataan Death March were from the U.S. Army, including personnel from the Army Air Corps.
2. Marines, Sailors, and Airmen: While primarily composed of Army personnel, the group also included Marines, Sailors, and Airmen who were stationed in the Philippines.
3. 200th and 515th Coast Artillery (New Mexico National Guard): A significant portion of the American troops came from the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery Regiment of the New Mexico National Guard.
4. These units were heavily represented in the defense of the Philippines, and many of their members were captured and forced to endure the Bataan Death March.
5. While the New Mexico National Guard units were prominent, other Army units and personnel from various states were also involved in the defense of the Philippines and subsequently participated in the Bataan Death March.
6. In summary, the American soldiers in the Bataan Death March were a diverse group of individuals from across the United States, representing various branches of the military, with a particularly large contingent from the New Mexico National Guard.
The exhibit continues throughout the United States through December 2029. For more information you can go to either the Smithsonian Institution website or the National Museum of the American Indian website.
