Sallisaw Veteran Bill Horton Honored

The Cherokee Nation honored a Sallisaw veteran with the Medal of Patriotism during the October Tribal Council meeting in Tahlequah.

Bill Horton, 70, of Sallisaw received the medal from Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker and Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden for his service to the country.

At the meeting are, from the left above, Crittenden, Horton, Baker and Tribal Councilor Bryan Warner.

Sgt. Horton was born Jan. 17, 1945, in Fort Smith. Horton was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965 and received training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served in Vietnam from March of 1966 to March of 1967 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and was based in Bien Wah, Vietnam. Horton was honorably discharged in 1967. After his military service, he served as a public school educator and administrator and on the Cherokee Nation Election Commission board for several years. 

"I appreciate the Cherokee Nation, the Tribal Council, and the Chief and Deputy Chief, and thank them very much," Horton said.

Each month the Cherokee Nation recognizes Cherokee service men and women for their sacrifices and as a way to demonstrate the high regard in which all veterans are held by the tribe. Native Americans, including Cherokees, are thought to have more citizens serving per capita than any other ethnic group according to the U.S. Department of Defense. To nominate a veteran who is a Cherokee Nation citizen, please call 918-772-4166.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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