A 100-year-old veteran was lately honored by the Cherokee Nation for her service within the Girls’s Military Auxiliary Corps in World Warfare II.
Winifred “Freddie” Dudley of Owasso, Oklahoma, was awarded the Medal of Patriotism by Cherokee Nation officers together with two different veterans throughout the August assembly of the Council of the Cherokee Nation earlier this month, the Claremore Day by day Progress reported.
Whereas serving within the Girls’s Auxiliary Military Corps, Dudley — whose surname was Whelchel on the time — was part of the Air Transport and Command that primarily transported troops and blood plasma to numerous bases throughout the U.S., in accordance to 2 Information.
The Cherokee citizen labored many alternative jobs throughout her service within the Military, together with as a clerical employee, army postal employee, and chaplain’s assistant. She was stationed throughout a number of Military bases throughout the nation, together with in 5 completely different states.
After being discharged in 1945, Winifred met her husband, Jess Dudley, who was additionally a WWII veteran and served in Normandy and the Battle of Bulge. Collectively that they had 5 youngsters, in accordance to Cherokee Phoenix. They have been married for 70 years earlier than his passing.
In 2010, Dudley took her first Honor Flight to Washington, DC. After getting back from the journey, she helped begin an Honor Flight program in Tulsa, permitting many veterans to go to the nation’s capital freed from cost, 2 Information reported.
On the council assembly, she was known as a “Cherokee Warrior,” and whereas accepting her award, she honored her heritage and expressed gratitude towards God.
“My great-grandmother came to visit on the Path of Tears,” Dudley mentioned whereas accepting her award. “I’m simply grateful to be a part of the Cherokee Nation. We serve an awesome God. He won’t ever depart us nor forsake us. He’s going to maintain me. I don’t care if I’m 100 years outdated.”
Throughout the ceremony, it was additionally introduced that Dudley can be receiving one other honor referred to as the Patriotism Award later within the 12 months.
Final month, Dudley turned 100 years outdated, which was celebrated by household and mates at a shock birthday celebration.
You may comply with Ethan Letkeman on Twitter at @EthanLetkeman.
